HIGH-TEMPERATURE THERMOELECTRIC RESEARCH.
Abstract
This report describes applied research and development work on high-temperature thermoelectric technology for space-flight vehicle power supplies and involves: fundamentals investigation, fabrication techniques, material characteristics, component research, and model generators. In the fundamentals portion of the study, consideration was given to the mechanism of operation of the MCC 40, MCC 50 and MCC 60 types of thermoelectric materials with emphasis on the effect of insoluble, dispersed materials on electric and thermal conductivity, Seebeck Coefficient, strength, sublimation, and solid-state diffusion. In the study of fabrication techniques, attention was concentrated on improving the fabrication of high-temperature thermoelectric elements by the arc plasma spray and hot press methods. Although the hot press method received most of the effort in the program, the principal conclusion of the study is that the arc plasma method holds considerable promise in its economics and versatility and is worthy of thorough evaluation and development in the immediate future. This seems particularly worthwile in view of the very limited number of thermoelectric elements fabrication methods now available (essentially, only crystal growth and hot pressing) to thermoelectric technology. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0484771
Entities
People
- George Sonnenschein
- Hans R. Strop
- Michael C. Willson
- Richard J. Janowiecki
- Robert S. Cooley
Organizations
- Monsanto