So far, various strategies have been suggested to increase ZT values of TE materials. However, despite recent improvements in the efficiency of TE materials, the device engineering of TE modules has been largely neglected by strictly limited processing methods to fabricate devices. As a solution of this challenge, we develop the inks of thermoelectric materials and processing to architecture TE materials in 2D and 3D.
 Thin film fabrication of thermoelectric system offers new scope for ZT enhancement by tailoring microstructure, which are determined by interface and strain energy at the forming stage of the thin film. This offers a wide range of ways to control texturing and doping in thin films through the choice of substrates, the coating process and the manipulation of post-treatment conditions. Also, thermoelectric thin films are potentially useful for various applications such as micro-Peltier-coolers, micro-generators, and miniature sensors as well as flexible TE power supply. Furthermore, thermoelectric ink can be directly painted onto curved heat sources, minimizing heat loss which essentially increases the efficiency of thermoelectric module. Especially, 3D printing technology enable us to shape thermoelectric materials conformable to free-form heat sources, which will maximize the heat transfer to thermoelectric devices. Furthermore, this 3D printing process can not only minimize the abandoned materials, but also reduction of process steps, which are the issues of conventional manufacturing.
 The specific materials of interest for adopting the 3D printing technology are based on metal chalcogenide that have a wide temperature range from room temperature to high temperature operation with high thermoelectric efficiency.