Termoelectricity

Thermoelectricity is a phenomenon that involves the interconversion of heat and electricity. There are three main thermoelectric effects: the Seebeck effect, the Peltier effect, and the Thomson effect. The Seebeck effect describes the generation of an electric voltage when a temperature difference exists across a thermoelectric material. Conversely, the Peltier effect occurs when an electric current flows through a junction of two different thermoelectric materials, causing heat to be absorbed or released at the junction, leading to a temperature difference. The Thomson effect, less commonly discussed, involves the absorption or release of heat when an electric current flows through a homogeneous conductor with a temperature gradient.

Thermoelectric devices, such as thermoelectric generators (TEGs) and thermoelectric coolers (TECs), utilize these effects. TEGs convert waste heat directly into electrical energy, finding applications in areas where traditional energy sources are unavailable or impractical, like in remote sensing equipment or automotive exhaust systems. TECs, on the other hand, use electricity to pump heat from one side of the device to the other, enabling cooling. They are often used in small-scale refrigeration, cooling electronic components, and in scientific instrumentation.

The efficiency of thermoelectric materials is a significant factor in their practical application. Research focuses on developing new materials with higher thermoelectric conversion efficiency, often measured by a dimensionless figure of merit called ZT. While thermoelectricity offers advantages like no moving parts, silent operation, and scalability, its widespread adoption is often limited by relatively low efficiencies compared to conventional energy conversion technologies. Nevertheless, advancements in material science and engineering continue to improve performance and expand the potential uses of thermoelectric technologies.