The present invention is to provide a method of producing a thermoelectric conversion device having a thermoelectric element layer with excellent shape controllability and capable of being highly integrated. The present invention relates to a method of producing a thermoelectric conversion device including a thermoelectric element layer formed of a thermoelectric semiconductor composition containing a thermoelectric semiconductor material on a substrate, the method including a step of providing a pattern frame having openings on a substrate; a step of filling the thermoelectric semiconductor composition in the openings; a step of drying the thermoelectric semiconductor composition filled in the openings, to form a thermoelectric element layer; and a step of releasing the pattern frame from the substrate.

A method for producing a chip of a thermoelectric conversion material formed of a thermoelectric semiconductor composition, including a step of forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate, (B) a step of forming a thermoelectric conversion material layer of a thermoelectric semiconductor composition on the sacrificial layer, (C) a step of annealing the thermoelectric conversion material layer, (D) a step of transferring the annealed thermoelectric conversion material layer to a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, (E) a step of individualizing the thermoelectric conversion material layer into individual chips of a thermoelectric conversion material, and (F) a step of peeling the individualized chips of a thermoelectric conversion material; and a method for producing a thermoelectric conversion module using the chip produced according to the production method.

A thermoelectric generator consists of circuits arranged in parallel rows, in which thermocouples in adjacent rows are facing each other by the same-named junctions, forming alternating narrow zones of hot and cold junctions. At least one of the layers is a layer of thermal energy thermocouples, the repeatability of the rows of circuits of which is two times less than the repeatability of the rows of circuits of thermocouples generating electricity. Hot and cold zones between the rows of thermocouple circuits of all layers of thermocouples generating electricity and hot and cold junctions of the rows of thermocouple circuits of thermal energy are superimposed, respectively, by tight contact on each other by junctions and substrates, ensuring internal heat exchange between them. In addition, the generator is provided with an external heat supply circuit to the hot zone area and a heat removal circuit from the cold zone area.

An electronic component may include a carrier, and a thermoelectric sensor and a power transistor which are arranged on the carrier. The power transistor may include a base layer containing a transistor material chosen from among gallium nitride, aluminium gallium nitride, gallium arsenide, indium gallium, indium gallium nitride, aluminium nitride, indium aluminium nitride, and mixtures thereof. The electronic component may be configured so that the thermoelectric sensor generates an electric current under the effect of heating from the power transistor.

Provided are: a thermoelectric conversion body that has high electrical conductivity, achieving high thermoelectric conversion efficiency when used in a thermoelectric conversion module, and is less susceptible to warpage during manufacture; a method for manufacturing the same; and a thermoelectric conversion module using the same. A thermoelectric conversion body that is a fired product of a composition containing a thermoelectric semiconductor material and a heat resistant resin, wherein, with the heat resistant resin being subjected to temperature elevation and a weight of the heat resistant resin at 400° C. being defined as 100%, a temperature at which the heat resistant resin undergoes a further 5% reduction in weight is 480° C. or lower; a thermoelectric conversion module including the thermoelectric conversion body; and a method for manufacturing the thermoelectric conversion body.

A thermoelectric element according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first substrate, a first buffer layer disposed on the first substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first buffer layer, a P-type thermoelectric leg and an N-type thermoelectric leg disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the P-type thermoelectric leg and the N-type thermoelectric leg, a second buffer layer disposed on the second electrode, and a second substrate disposed on the second buffer layer, wherein at least one of the first buffer layer and the second buffer layer includes a silicone resin and an inorganic material, and the Young's modulus of at least one of the first buffer layer and the second buffer layer is 1 to 65 MPa.

A thermoelectric element according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first substrate, a first buffer layer disposed on the first substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first buffer layer, a P-type thermoelectric leg and an N-type thermoelectric leg disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the P-type thermoelectric leg and the N-type thermoelectric leg, a second buffer layer disposed on the second electrode, and a second substrate disposed on the second buffer layer, wherein at least one of the first buffer layer and the second buffer layer includes a silicone resin and an inorganic material, and the Young's modulus of at least one of the first buffer layer and the second buffer layer is 1 to 65 MPa.

A thermoelectric element according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a lower metal substrate, a lower insulating layer disposed on the lower metal substrate, a plurality of lower electrodes disposed on the lower insulating layer to be spaced apart from each other, a plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs disposed on the plurality of lower electrodes, a plurality of upper electrodes disposed on the plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs and the plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs to be spaced apart from each other, an upper insulating layer disposed on the plurality of upper electrodes, and an upper metal substrate disposed on the upper insulating layer, wherein the lower insulating layer includes a first insulating layer disposed on the lower metal substrate and a plurality of second insulating layers disposed on the first insulating layer to be spaced apart from each other.

A thermoelectric element according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a lower metal substrate, a lower insulating layer disposed on the lower metal substrate, a plurality of lower electrodes disposed on the lower insulating layer to be spaced apart from each other, a plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs disposed on the plurality of lower electrodes, a plurality of upper electrodes disposed on the plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs and the plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs to be spaced apart from each other, an upper insulating layer disposed on the plurality of upper electrodes, and an upper metal substrate disposed on the upper insulating layer, wherein the lower insulating layer includes a first insulating layer disposed on the lower metal substrate and a plurality of second insulating layers disposed on the first insulating layer to be spaced apart from each other.

A power generation apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a cooling unit, a first thermoelectric module including a first thermoelectric element disposed on a first surface of the cooling unit, and a first heat sink disposed on the first thermoelectric element; and a first wiring part connected to the first thermoelectric element, wherein the cooling unit has a fluid receiving part formed in a first area thereof and a tunnel formed in a second area thereof, and the first wiring part passes through the tunnel.