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Results of research and development of a 1 W thermoelectric generator for cell phones are presented. A physical model of the generator with catalytic combustion of gas fuel is proposed. A computer simulation method is used to determine the optimal parameters of the thermopile, catalytic heat source, and microgenerator heat rejection system whereby the efficiency of gas combustion heat conversion into electrical energy is a factor of two higher compared with existing analogs. The generator design is described, and results of experimental research on its parameters and the charging rate of cell phone batteries with capacity of 900 mA h to 1600 mA h are given. In the self-contained operating mode of various low-power devices, the elaborated thermoelectric generator with a catalytic heat source is an alternative to traditional sources of chemical energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The short-circuited thermoelement (SCTE) with slanted shorting was studied in electric power generation mode by means of computer simulation. The basic power characteristics and the distribution of physical fields in the thermoelement were obtained. The transverse thermo-electromotive force (EMF) and efficiency of the SCTE were studied as functions of the material, number, cross-sectional area, and orientation with respect to the temperature gradient of the shorting elements. The optimal parameters of the thermoelement to achieve maximum efficiency were determined. Recommendations for SCTE optimization are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]