Design, simulation and fabrication strategies for printed out-of-plane thermoelectric devices

The aim of this work is to contribute to the development of a theoretical and practical framework for 3D printed thermoelectric devices (TEDs). The approach here described is based on the integration of 3D printing and solution processing for the facile realization of out-of-plane TEDs. To demonstrate the feasibility of this concept, we initially realize a proof of concept of a out-of-plane TED with the simplest geometrical design. The device is fabricated by the spray-deposition of a thermoelectric nanocomposite on a 3D printed object. Subsequently, to assess the general applicability of this novel methodology and to optimize the geometrical characteristics of the ad-hoc substrates, we perform thermal and thermoelectric simulations of three different plastic-based structures. The final geometry can be employed as a high sensitivity temperature sensor, or as thermal energy harvester, and has a disruptive potential because of its ease of fabrication, cost-effectiveness and high performance.