@inproceedings{3180aced3bc6458fac9a0c74e5c53cd9,
title = "Development of high efficiency segmented thermoelectric couples for space applications",
abstract = "Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTG) have been used by NASA to reliably power spacecraft for deep space exploration for over 40 years. Current state of the practice systems are limited to device-level efficiencies of 7.5% or less and system level specific powers of 2.8 to 5.1 W/Kg. NASA{\textquoteright}s Radioisotope Power Systems Thermoelectric Technology Development Program (TTDP) is pursuing development of more efficient thermoelectric technologies that can increase performance by a factor of 2 to 4x over these state of the practice systems1. NASA{\textquoteright}s TTDP is developing high-efficiency segmented couples/modules with the following design goals: A) system conversion efficiency ≥ 11% (≥ 60% improvement over MMRTG at BOL) and b) ≥ 6-8.5 We/kg specific power (2-3 x improvement over MMRTG), for a temperature gradient T = 800 K (TH=1273 K and TC = 473 K). We will be discussing the state of development of the aforementioned couples and the tools that are used to guide this development. First-principle calculations and Finite Element Thermomechanical analysis are used to guide materials selection and device architecture, while extended device testing is utilized to establish couple reliability and stability.",
author = "Fivos Drymiotis and Fleurial, {Jean Pierre} and Sabah Bux and Samad Firdosy and Kurt Start and Ike Chi and Vilupanur Ravi and Li, {Billy Chun Yip} and Sevan Chanakian and Dean Cheikh and Kathy Lee and Kevin Yu and Obed Villalpando and Kevin Smith and David Uhl and Huang, {Chen Kuo} and Paik, {Jong Ah} and Liu, {Zi Kui} and {Soldan Palma}, {Jorge Paz} and Yi Wang and Chong, {Xiao Yu} and Frances Hurwitz and Dongming Zhu and Haiquan Guo and Gustavo Costa",
note = "Funding Information: This work was performed at the California Institute of Technology/Jet Propulsion Laboratory under contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This work was supported by the NASA Science Mission Directorate under the Radioisotope Power Systems Program{\textquoteright}s Thermoelectric Technology Development Project Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2016 American Nuclear Society. All Rights Reserved.; Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2018 ; Conference date: 26-02-2018 Through 01-03-2018",
year = "2016",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "9781510859609",
series = "Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2018",
publisher = "American Nuclear Society",
pages = "174--177",
booktitle = "Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space, NETS 2018",
address = "United States",
}