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Thermoelectric materials for space applications

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Abstract

Solid-state energy conversion through thermoelectric effects remains the technology of choice for space applications for which, their low energy conversion efficiency is largely outweighed by the reliability and technical requirements of the mission. Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) enable the direct conversion of the heat released by nuclear fuel into the electrical power required to energize the scientific instruments. The optimization of the conversion efficiency is intimately connected to the performances of the thermoelectric materials integrated which are governed by the transport properties of these materials. Recent advances in the design of highly efficient thermoelectric materials raise interesting prospects to further enhance the performances of RTGs for future exploratory missions in the Solar system. Here, we briefly review the knowledge acquired over the last years on several families of thermoelectric materials, the performances of which are close or even higher than those conventionally used in RTGs to date. Issues that remain to be solved are further discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the European Space Agency (ESA/ESTEC) under the ESA/ESTEC Contracts C20179 and NPI Contracts No. 22955/09/NL/PA and 40001134346/15/NL/RA for financial support.

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  1. Institut Jean Lamour, UMR 7198, CNRS-Université de Lorraine, Campus ARTEM, 2 allée André Guinier, BP 50840, 54011, Nancy, France

    Christophe Candolfi, Soufiane El Oualid, Dorra Ibrahim, Shantanu Misra, Oussama El Hamouli, Adèle Léon, Anne Dauscher, Philippe Masschelein & Bertrand Lenoir

  2. Institut Des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, UMR 6226, CNRS-Université de Rennes 1, INSA de Rennes, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, 11 allée de Beaulieu, CS 50837, 35708, Rennes Cedex, France

    Philippe Gall & Patrick Gougeon

  3. European Space Agency, ESTEC, P.O. Box 299, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

    Christopher Semprimoschnig

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Candolfi, C., Oualid, S.E., Ibrahim, D. et al. Thermoelectric materials for space applications. CEAS Space J 13, 325–340 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-021-00351-x

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