Temperature-entropy diagrams for multi-stage thermoelectric coolers

Abstract

In this work, we extend the temperature-entropy formulation to multi-stage thermoelectric coolers. With reference to commercially available thermoelectric materials, temperature-entropy diagrams are constructed to facilitate understanding the effects of electric current(s) and/or ratios of the number of thermocouples between stages on devices' performance. The temperature dependence of material properties is taken into consideration.