Challenges on Modeling Reliability of the Thermoelectric Generators

The growing environmental crisis and energy burden are drawing enormous attention towards thermoelectric structures and materials. The recent attention on thermo-electric materials and generators brought the pending researches on advance level. Comprehensive discussion has been done on recently proposed alternative designs, material competency and life-scaling models for improving longevity of the thermoelectric modules. During discussion distinction has been drawn between space and terrestrial devices and their obstacles. As part of deep space mission, to ensure the longevity of device, work is being done on mechanical stability and suppression of sublimation. While terrestrial devices are facing oxidation, thermally induced stress and mechanical degradation. In this paper we collected different literature and presented a model based on different laboratorial results. This precisely elucidates the role of reliability and current challenges, with an overview to understand potential parameters.