Power generation method using thermoelectric element, thermoelectric element and fabrication method thereof, and thermoelectric device

A thermoelectric element comprising:

• a first electrode and a second electrode that are disposed to oppose each other;
• and
• a laminate interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and electrically connected to both of the first and second electrodes,
• the laminate having a structure in which a Bi layer and a metal layer made of a metal other than Bi are alternately layered, and
• the Bi layer and the metal layer having layer surfaces that are slanted with respect to a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode oppose each other,
• the element generating a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode by a temperature difference created along a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the first and second electrodes in the element.

A fabrication method of a thermoelectric element which comprises:

• a first electrode and a second electrode that are disposed to oppose each other;
• and
• a laminate interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and electrically connected to both of the first and second electrodes,
• the laminate having a structure in which a Bi layer and a metal layer made of a metal other than Bi are alternately layered, and
• the Bi layer and the metal layer having layer surfaces that are slanted with respect to a direction in which the first electrode and the second electrode oppose each other,
• the element generating a potential difference between the first electrode and the second electrode by a temperature difference created along a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the first and second electrodes in the element,
• the method comprising:
• cutting an original plate in which the Bi layer and the metal layer made of a metal other than Bi are alternately layered, such that the original plate is cut by obliquely traversing the layer surfaces of the Bi layer and the metal layer;
• and providing a resulting laminate with the first electrode and the second electrode such that the first and second electrodes oppose each other, and that the opposing direction of the first and second electrodes traverses the layer surfaces of the Bi layer and the metal layer.

A thermoelectric device comprising:

• a support plate;
• and
• a thermoelectric element disposed on the support plate,
• the element including a first electrode and a second electrode that are disposed to oppose each other, and a laminate interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and electrically connected to both of the first and second electrodes,
• the laminate having a structure in which a Bi layer and a metal layer made of a metal other than Bi are alternately layered,
• the Bi layer and the metal layer having layer surfaces that are slanted with respect to the opposing direction of a pair of the electrodes,
• the element being disposed on the support plate such that a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of the first and second electrodes coincides with a direction perpendicular to a surface of the support plate on which the element is disposed, wherein
• power can be obtained via the pair of the electrodes by creating a temperature difference along a direction perpendicular to the surface of the support plate.