Thermoelectric Effect

Use the multiphysics coupling (

) to account for a Peltier heat source or sink in domains and on boundaries where electrical and thermal models are defined.

In domains, a PJ contribution is added to the heat flux q in the equation for heat transfer in solids:

The term Je = −σS∇T is also added to the current density, which is then defined as:


	The contribution to the heat flux affects all boundary conditions where the conductive flux, −k∇T, is involved. In particular the thermal insulation condition becomes (−k∇T + PJ) ⋅ n = 0 (instead of (−k∇T) ⋅ n = 0 when thermoelectric effect is not active). See

On boundaries, a PsJ contribution is added to the heat flux q in the equation for heat transfer in shells:

The term Je,s = −σsSs∇tT is also added to the current density, which is then defined as:

Settings

The is the default multiphysics coupling feature name.

The is used primarily as a scope prefix for variables defined by the coupling node. Refer to such variables in expressions using the pattern <name>.<variable_name>. In order to distinguish between variables belonging to different coupling nodes or physics interfaces, the name string must be unique. Only letters, numbers, and underscores (_) are permitted in the field. The first character must be a letter.

The default (for the first multiphysics coupling feature in the model) is tee.

Domain Selection

From the list, choose the domains where thermoelectric effect should be applied. Only domains where both electrical and thermal models are active can be selected.

Boundary Selection

From the list, choose the boundaries where thermoelectric effect should be applied. Only boundaries where both electrical and thermal models are active can be selected.

For the thermal model, you can choose from

•

any version of the Heat Transfer interface with a , a , or a feature active on the boundaries.

•

any version of the Heat Transfer in Shells interface.

For the electrical model, you can choose from

•

any version of the Electric Currents interface with an feature active on the boundaries.

•

any version of the Electric Currents, Shells interface.

Coupled Interfaces

This section defines the physics involved in the thermoelectric effect multiphysics coupling.

Select the interface associated to the temperature dependent variable. Select the interface associated to the electric potential dependent variable.

Model Input

This section contains fields and values that are inputs for expressions defining material properties. If such user-defined property groups are added, the model inputs appear here.

Temperature

This section is available when material properties are temperature-dependent. By default, the temperature of the coupled heat transfer interface is used and the section is not editable. To edit the field, click (

). The available options are (default), (the minput.T variable, set to 293.15 K by default) and all temperature variables from the physics interfaces included in the model. To edit the minput.T variable, click the button (

), and in the node under , set a value for the in the section.

Coordinate System Selection

Select a coordinate system from the list for the interpretation of directions in anisotropic material properties. The default is the , and the list contains any additional coordinate system (except boundary coordinate systems) added under the node.

See Coordinate Systems in the COMSOL Multiphysics Reference Manual for more details.

Thermoelectric Properties

The Seebeck coefficients S and Ss (SI unit: V/K) in the domain and on the boundaries should be set.


	Thermoelectric Leg: Application Library path Heat_Transfer_Module/Verification_Examples/thermoelectric_leg


	Theory for the Thermoelectric Effect Interface

Location in User Interface

Context Menus

when any of the following interface is added together with (or another version of the Heat Transfer Interface):