Thick-film thermoelectric microgenerators based on nickel-, silver- and PdAg-based compositions

This paper presents fabrication and investigations of screen-printed thick-film thermocouples based on PdAg, Ag and Ni inks. The thermopiles optimal materials parameters were determined. Seebeck coefficient and electrical output power were measured with the help of self-made automatic measuring system. We received Seebeck coefficient larger than 20 muV/K and the output power on level of few muW/function for temperature difference of about 100 K. These results are much better than ones presented in previous authors´ works and can be used for design and fabrication of 3D thick-film thermoelectric microgenerator.