Termoelektriliste

Termoelektriliste refers to a phenomenon known as the thermoelectric effect. This effect describes the direct conversion of temperature differences into electric voltage, and conversely, the conversion of an electric voltage into a temperature difference. The core principle involves the movement of charge carriers (electrons or holes) within a material when it is subjected to a temperature gradient. In one direction, a hotter material will cause charge carriers to diffuse towards the colder region, creating an electric potential. This is the Seebeck effect. Conversely, when an electric current flows through a thermoelectric material, it can cause heat to be absorbed at one junction and released at another, leading to a temperature difference. This is the Peltier effect.

Thermoelectric devices, such as thermoelectric generators (TEGs) and thermoelectric coolers (TECs), utilize these effects. TEGs are used to generate electricity from waste heat, finding applications in areas where conventional power sources are impractical, like in remote sensors or space probes. TECs, on the other hand, are used for cooling and heating, commonly seen in small refrigerators, electronic cooling systems, and portable beverage coolers. The efficiency of thermoelectric materials is a significant area of research, with ongoing efforts to develop materials that exhibit higher thermoelectric performance, often quantified by a figure of merit known as ZT.