Evident launches skutterudite thermoelectric product
29 June 2015
Evident Thermoelectrics has launched the first commercial thermoelectric product using skutterudite material technology: the Evident Skutterudite Test Kit. This thermoelectric material, which was originally developed by NASA to power deep space probes, operates in the mid- to high-temperature range—suited for, among other applications, automotive.
This launch comes shortly after Evident announced its purchase of GMZ Energy, a developer of high-temperature thermoelectric generation (TEG) systems. (Earlier post.)
The Evident Skutterudite Test Kit is available for sale now at www.evidentthermo.com, and consists of a 2 watt mini-module, along with several P and N metalized legs. The thermoelectric technology being commercialized by Evident is designed to work at temperatures up to 550 ˚C.
This first commercial thermoelectric product will pave the way for things to come. We intend to launch thermoelectric products based on other material systems as well, spanning a range of temperatures of interest to our customers.
—Dr. Bed Poudel, CTO Evident Thermoelectrics
Evident currently also offers Half Heusler and Bismuth Telluride thermoelectric materials.
Half Heusler. With GMZ Energy, Evident broadened its materials capability and IP portfolio including nano-structuring process for half-Heusler materials. HH materials yield a combination of high-performance, high-strength module and moderate materials cost. Evident says that its proprietary method of bulk manufacturing nanostructured TE materials is more cost-effective than known nanowire or thin film manufacturing methods for temperatures of 500°C to 700°C on the hot side.
Skutterudite. Evident’s skutterudite material system is suited for mid temperature range applications (hot side 250°C – 550°C). With peak ZTs of 1.4 for N-Type and 1.2 for P-Type, SK is one of the highest efficiency materials in thermoelectric material systems.
Bismuth Telluride. Evident’s BiTe material system is suited for low temperature range applications (hot side up to 250 °C). Evident’s approach is different from other commercially available BiTe material systems in that it produces nano-structured bulk materials that have superior strength and performance over traditional materials.
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