A thermoelectric element can comprise a thermoelectric body and a multi-layer contact structure. The multi-layer contact structure can contain a first metal layer overlying a surface of the thermoelectric body and a second metal layer directly overlying the first metal layer, wherein the first metal layer and the second metal layer include the same metal, and the first metal layer has a different phase than the second metal layer.

A thermoelectric module of the invention includes: first and second thermoelectric elements; a first electrode having a plate-shaped body whose first surface is bonded to a first end surface of the first thermoelectric element and a first end surface of the second thermoelectric element; a second electrode bonded to a second end surface of the first thermoelectric element; and a third electrode bonded to a second end surface of the thermoelectric element. The first electrode includes: a first cutout formed at a first side in a width direction; and a second cutout formed at a second side in the width direction. In the width direction, at least one of the first cutout or the second cutout is present in a section between the first side and the second side of the first electrode.

A thermoelectric module comprising nanostructured SnO and SnO.sub.2, and electrodes arranged between two electrical insulating substrates is described. The nanostructured SnO may be in the form of nanosheets and acting as p-type pillars of the module. The nanostructured SnO.sub.2 may be in the form of nanospheres and acting as n-type pillars of the module. This thermoelectric module is evaluated on the voltage, current, and power of the electricity generated once subjected to a temperature gradient.

A thermoelectric module includes a first thermoelectric material, a second thermoelectric material spaced apart from the first thermoelectric material, and a stretching element selectively connected between the first thermoelectric material and the second thermoelectric material, wherein the stretching element is stretchable.

An energy harvesting system for collecting energy from sources of thermal energy that exist in the environment and convert the energy to electricity. The system has N-P junctions mounted on the outer surface of a conduit, pipe or flue. A hot medium flows through the conduit, pipe or flue. The p-n junctions operate as thermoelectric power generators. Heat absorbed at the p-n junctions increases the kinetic energy of charge carriers causing migration of the charge carriers. This thermally-driven migration of charge carriers is used to drive an electrical current in an external circuit.

Differential thermoelectric devices are provided for monitoring a change of areal thermal energy dissipation rate and surface temperature profile. The devices include a through electrode connecting to different sets of thermoelectric elements at different regions of the device. A sensing circuitry is electrically connected to the thermoelectric elements to measure a voltage output.

A thermoelectric conversion element includes a first thermoelectric conversion module and a first substrate including a first main face and a second main face, a first electrode provided on the first main face, a first n-type thermoelectric conversion layer, a first p-type thermoelectric conversion layer in contact with the first n-type thermoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode, and a sealing layer provided on the first main face. Each of the pair of sheet members of the thermoelectric conversion element includes a first high thermal conduction portion, a second high thermal conduction portion, and a low thermal conduction portion. The first electrode, the first n-type thermoelectric conversion layer, the first p-type thermoelectric conversion layer, and the second electrode are arranged in order along the alignment direction.

A thermoelectric conversion device includes: an insulating layer; and a thermoelectric conversion module disposed on the insulating layer. The thermoelectric conversion module has a first thermoelectric conversion region and a second thermoelectric conversion region. The first(second) thermoelectric conversion region includes one or two or more thermoelectric conversion elements, a first(third) connection electrode, and a second(fourth) connection electrode. The thermoelectric conversion elements of the first(second) thermoelectric conversion region are electrically connected to the first(third) connection electrode and the second(fourth) connection electrode and located on an electric path connecting these connection electrodes. Each of the thermoelectric conversion elements includes a thermoelectric converter. The thermoelectric converter of at least one of the thermoelectric conversion elements has a phononic crystal layer having a phononic crystal structure including a plurality of regularly arranged through holes. A through direction of the plurality of through holes in this crystal structure is substantially parallel to a direction perpendicular to a principal surface of the insulating layer.

A thermoelectric conversion device includes: a first thermoelectric conversion module, a first insulating layer, and a second thermoelectric conversion module. The first (second) thermoelectric conversion module includes one or two or more thermoelectric conversion elements, a first (third) connection electrode, and a second (fourth) connection electrode. The thermoelectric conversion elements of the first (second) thermoelectric conversion module are electrically connected to the first (third) connection electrode and the second (fourth) connection electrode and located on an electric path connecting these connection electrodes. Each of the thermoelectric conversion elements includes a thermoelectric converter. The thermoelectric converter of at least one of the thermoelectric conversion elements has a phononic crystal layer having a phononic crystal structure including a plurality of regularly arranged through holes. A through direction of the plurality of through holes in this crystal structure is substantially parallel to a stacking direction of the first thermoelectric conversion module, the first insulating layer, and the second thermoelectric conversion module.

A thermoelectric generator module includes a first base material that is formed into a sheet and that has a thermoplastic layer, a second base material that is formed into a sheet and that has a thermoplastic layer, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements arranged between the first base material and the second base material, a plurality of first electrodes arranged between the first base material and the thermoelectric conversion elements, a plurality of second electrodes arranged between the second base material and the thermoelectric conversion elements, and a joint that joins the first base material to the second base material. The thermoelectric conversion elements, the plurality of first electrodes, and the plurality of second electrodes are sealed by the joint.