Estimation of generated power of a thermoelectric device utilizing porous medium

A thermoelectric device consisting of porous and bulk parts was proposed. C onception, generated power and effectiveness of the device are discussed in comparison with the conventional bulk one. Heat exchange between the devic e and heating/cooling fluids occurs by using a porous medium. The partially porous device enhances generated power per unit area, although porous medi um increases electric resistivity of the partially porous device. The parti ally porous device will be of advantage when gas is used as heating/cooling sources because of its low thermal conductivity. An estimation based on ph ysical properties of FeSi2 suggests that generated power of the partially p orous device can be several times higher than that of the bulk one in the c ase of gas heating/cooling system.