• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

  • About
    • About AAAS
    • About NSF
    • About the Conference
    • Project Team
    • Advisory Board
  • Conference
  • Abstracts
    • Abstract Submission Process
    • Abstract Submission Guidelines
    • Presentation Guidelines
  • Travel Awards
  • Resources
    • Award Winners
    • Code of Conduct-AAAS Meetings
    • Code of Conduct-ERN Conference
    • Conference Agenda
    • Conference Materials
    • Conference Program Books
    • ERN Photo Galleries
    • Events | Opportunities
    • Exhibitor Info
    • HBCU-UP PI/PD Meeting
    • In the News
    • NSF Harassment Policy
    • Plenary Session Videos
    • Professional Development
    • Science Careers Handbook
    • Additional Resources
    • Archives
  • Engage
    • Webinars
    • ERN 10-Year Anniversary Videos
    • Plenary Session Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Improving the Performance of a Thermoelectric Generator by Decreasing Contacts Thermal Resistance

Undergraduate #124
Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Civil/Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering
Session: 3
Room: Marriott Balcony A

Aaron Smith - Virginia State University


A thermoelectric generator is a solid state device that converts heat energy directly to electrical energy. The configuration for energy conversion includes a heat source and a heat sink in contact with the sides of the generator. The heat flows from a heat source of high temperature through the generator to a heat sink of low temperature. As a result, a direct current is produced to a load having a voltage across terminals and the amount of electric power generated is product of the current and voltage. The magnitude of the power is directly related to the temperature difference across the generator. This project resulted on an experimental study being conducted to measure the effect of the contact resistance at the interface surfaces of the generator, heat source, and heat sink on the generator’s performance. Different interface materials were used to measure output power of the generator while keeping the temperature difference between sources constant. It has shown significant improvement on the generator’s output by reducing the interfaces thermal resistance.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): Virginia State University Department of Engineering & Technology. Trojan Center for Undergrad Applied Research (TCUAR)

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nasser Ghariban, nghariban@vsu.edu

Role: Conducted and implemented the research by collecting data using Labview and Microsoft Excel to find ways to apply and improve the performance of a thermoelectric generator for future projects.

Sidebar

Abstract Locators

  • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
  • Graduate Abstract Locator

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

AAAS

1200 New York Ave, NW
Washington,DC 20005
202-326-6400
Contact Us
About Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The World’s Largest General Scientific Society

Useful Links

  • Membership
  • Careers at AAAS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Focus Areas

  • Science Education
  • Science Diplomacy
  • Public Engagement
  • Careers in STEM

Focus Areas

  • Shaping Science Policy
  • Advocacy for Evidence
  • R&D Budget Analysis
  • Human Rights, Ethics & Law

© 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science