Thermoelectric conversion element and production method therefor

A thermoelectric-conversion element comprising:

• an n-type member which includes a conductive tubular member having a channel in it and an n-type semiconductive layer formed on the outside of the conductive tubular member;
• a p-type member which includes a conductive tubular member having a channel in it and a p-type semiconductive layer formed on the outside of the conductive tubular member;
• and
• a connector which electrically connects the n-type semiconductive layer and the p-type semiconductive layer.

A thermoelectric-conversion element comprising:

• a conductive tubular member having a channel in it;
• an n-type semiconductive layer formed on one half of the outer surface of the conductive tubular member when the outer surface is divided into two along the longitudinal center axis of the conductive tubular member;
• and
• a p-type semiconductive layer formed on the other half of the outer surface of the conductive tubular member,
• the n-type and p-type semiconductive layers being connected by the conductive tubular member.

A method of manufacturing a thermoelectric-conversion element, comprising the steps of:

• forming an n-type body including a conductive tubular member having a channel in it and an n-type semiconductive layer formed on the outside of the conductive tubular member and a p-type body including a conductive tubular member having a channel in it and a p-type semiconductive layer formed on the outside of the conductive tubular member;
• sintering the n-type and p-type bodies;
• and
• connecting the n-type and p-type bodies in series by a conductor.