Transverse Seebeck Effect Devices for Heat Flux Sensing in Hot Environments up to 500^oC

Utilizing the Transverse Seebeck Effect (TSE), heat-flux sensing devices were designed, built and tested, demonstrating the linearity of the heat-flux-to-voltage transduction. We introduce new testing protocols that (1) demonstrate that the electrical signal results from the TSE and not from the conventional Seebeck effect, and (2) provide reliable values for the sensitivity of the sensor (i.e. calibration curves) at elevated temperatures. We introduce new materials as practical TSE transducers. Through materials selection and sensor design, the range of temperatures of operation of the heat-flux sensors has been extended up to 500 degrees Celsius, with the potential to exceed 1000 degrees Celsius upon the identification of appropriate adhesives. These heat-flux sensors fill in a technical void that is currently present in thermal systems metrology, superseding the state-of-the-art Schmidt-Boelter heat-flux sensors under extreme environments, due to their simpler and rugged construction. [Funding: US Department of Energy, Award DE-FE0031902].