Optimal design of nanowire array based thermocouple.

The present paper focuses on the optimisation of three different topologies of thermoelectric generators based on silicon nanowire-arrays. The classic heat transfer equations with Fourier's Law and boundary conditions are solved in terms of thermopower efficiency optimization. The numerical technique is based on general, constrained optimisation techniques. The results show that the use of nanowire arrays lead to better thermoelectric conversion efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]