4-4 Effect of Unit-cell Arrangement on Performance of Multi-stage-planar Cavity-free Unileg Thermoelectric Generator Using Silicon Nanowires

We compare the thermoelectric (TE) performances between two types of unit cell arrangements of planar unileg TE generators of silicon-nanowire (Si-NW). The planar TE generators are driven by the temperature gradient along the Si-NW. The TE performance highly depends on how the hot and cold sides of the unit cell is oriented with respect to the neighboring cells. If the hot sides of neighboring cells are placed next to each other, TE power is improved compared to the case where the hot and cold side of TE generator is arranged alternately. Optimal conditions of Si-NW length and metal wiring structure are also discussed.