• JASPAL SINGH
• S.S. Verma

The figure of merit, which a measure of the efficiency of thermoelectric materials, is calculated for the classical thermocouple Fe-Constantan by the experimental values of Seebeck coefficient in the normal mode for the temperature range of 300K to 600K. Then the same investigations are carried out by applying the mechanical stress (within elastic limit) and electric field of different magnitudes in different orientations. Finally, it concludes that even if the electrical and thermal conductivities of both the thermoelectric materials of the thermocouple remains constant, the Seebeck coefficient is enhanced to such extent that the figure of merit (ZT) improves by several orders of the magnitudes. This means that the applied electric field and stress results to increase the Seebeck coefficient which tends to improve the figure of merit. Hence this paper is an approach towards the utilization of stress and electric field if they exist along with the waste heat and can also be applied externally to improve the conversion efficiency of the thermocouples.

Seebeck Coefficient, Figure of Merit, Mechanical Stress, Electric Field

"Improving the Figure of Merit by Applying Stress and Electric Field for Fe-Constantan Thermocouple", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 8, page no.454-460, August-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1808967.pdf

"Improving the Figure of Merit by Applying Stress and Electric Field for Fe-Constantan Thermocouple", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 8, page no. pp454-460, August-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1808967.pdf