Product category:
Heatsinks and Thermal Management
News Release from: SDK
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 20 August 2004
Novel thermoelement promises "free"
power sources
SDK has developed a novel high-performance thermoelement, a key component of modules that convert heat energy directly into electric energy.
SDK has developed a novel high-performance thermoelement, a key component of modules that convert heat energy directly into electric energy The thermoelectric system is based on the development of voltage due to differences in temperature between the upper part and the lower part of a thermoelement
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 11 Dec 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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The thermoelectric system is being promoted at home and abroad as part of the comprehensive environmental protection and energy policy.
SDK's newly developed thermoelement is based on a lanthanum-iron-antimony alloy.
SDK used its experience in rare earth sintered magnetic alloy technology and powder metallurgy in the development of the alloy.
The new product has a number of advantages.
The alloy uses lanthanum, which is readily available, while excluding the use of lead, tellurium or other hazardous materials.
A quench casting method, which enables continuous production, and crushing/sintering technologies are combined to produce highly efficient thermoelement.
The element acheives equal or higher generation efficiency compared with conventional products that use lead and tellurium, and is usable at high temperatures up to 700C.
(The larger the temperature difference, the larger the amount of electricity generated).
The element has lower raw material cost compared with conventional products that use lead and tellurium, and the existing rare earth magnetic alloy production process is used, enabling industrial production with costs lower than those of the conventional batch production system, Waste heat from industrial furnaces and incinerators can be used as a heat source for the thermoelectric system.
Furthermore, small-scale unused waste heat from cogeneration units, hot-water heaters and automotive exhaust gas - as well as geothermal and solar energies - could also be used.
SDK will begin commercial production of thermoelectric modules incorporating the new thermoelement in 2008, and expects to generate sales of Y2 billion in 2010.
The development of this innovative thermoelement will be announced at the annual meeting of the Thermoelectrics Society of Japan.
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