Four-leg oxide thermoelectric modules consisting of two pairs of p type Ca(3)CO(4)o(9) and n type Ca0.95SM0.05MnO3 bulks of 4 x 4 mm (2) cross-section and 5 and 10 mm heights were constructed and their performance discussed. The modules were assembled using silver paste wherein the thermoelectric elements are electrically connected in series by silver strips and placed between alumina plates that are in parallel thermally. The performance was evaluated up to a maximum temperature of 1000 K with thermal differences of up to 925 K between the hot and cold plates. An open circuit voltage of 400 mV was generated at an operating temperature of 1000 K with a temperature difference of 925 K and internal resistance of 1.27 Omega in the case of long legs module. A maximum output power of 31.5 mW was obtained and the power decreased to 24.5 mW in a module where the height of the thermoelectric elements is halved. The quality of the modules is discussed by introducing a manufacturing factor representing the cumulative influence of various factors of the fabrication process.
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