Silicon-germanium thermoelectrics for power generation

The use of thermoelectric converters for generating power in both space and terrestrial applications is receiving attention today. The critical need for reliable unattended power has been a key factor leading to the development of this technology. The general chemical and physical properties of silicon-germanium alloys offer important advantages to meet these requirements. This paper describes various methods of coupling various heat sources to silicon-germanium thermocouples, e. g., conductive and radiant coupling. Heat sources such as radioisotopes, nuclear reactors, and fossil-fuel burners are considered. Life-test results illustrating the reliable performance that can be expected from silicon-germanium thermoelectric converters are presented.