Flexible thermoelectric devices possess the capability to generate electricity by harnessing temperature differences, rendering them highly promising for applications in wearable devices and powering the Internet of Things. This paper introduces a topology optimization design approach for double-layer thin-film flexible thermoelectric devices with the aim of enhancing the device's output voltage and improving the efficiency of green energy utilization. The design process took into consideration the coupled effects of mechanical, electrical, and thermal aspects. It not only optimized the force transmission paths of the variable structure device but also accounted for heat dissipation and circuit topology configuration. The study employed a field function model to concurrently optimize the structure of both the substrate and thermoelectric materials in an integrated design, with the primary objective being the maximization of output voltage. The efficacy of this methodology was confirmed through a series of numerical simulations and experiments conducted under various load and operational conditions. The optimized flexible thermoelectric devices exhibited an output voltage increase of more than threefold when compared to flat devices.

中文翻译：

---

变结构双层柔性热电器件升压拓扑优化设计


柔性热电设备具有利用温差发电的能力，这使得它们在可穿戴设备和物联网供电方面非常有前景。本文介绍了一种双层薄膜柔性热电器件的拓扑优化设计方法，旨在提高器件的输出电压，提高绿色能源利用效率。设计过程考虑了机械、电气和热方面的耦合效应。它不仅优化了变结构装置的力传递路径，而且还考虑了散热和电路拓扑配置。该研究采用场函数模型在集成设计中同时优化基板和热电材料的结构，主要目标是输出电压最大化。通过在各种负载和操作条件下进行的一系列数值模拟和实验，证实了该方法的有效性。与平面器件相比，优化的柔性热电器件的输出电压增加了三倍以上。