An online simulator for thermoelectric cooling and power generation

We present an online simulator that can be used to teach the principles of thermoelectric energy conversion, and analyze the detailed performance of Peltier coolers or thermoelectric power generators with simple user interfaces [1]. The simulation tool is implemented on nanoHUB.org, so it can be run on any web interface without the need to install commercial software. The simulation tool solves the heat balance equations at the top and bottom sides of the thermoelectric device using 1D thermal network model and the electric circuit model to analyze the steady-state temperatures of the device and the thermoelectric energy conversion efficiency. Both cooling and power generation modes can be solved upon user's input. Using this simulator, users are able to optimize the performance of a thermoelectric device with a variety of different design parameters such as the device dimensions and material properties. In particular, this simulator can be very useful to teach the importance of the thermoelectric figure of merit, ZT, of the material used on the performance of the device. This simulation is also instructive to show that as material properties improve Carnot limit can be achieved at negligible output power, while efficiency at maximum output power converges to Curzon-Ahlborn limit.