Termosähköiset

Termosähköiset refers to phenomena and devices related to the direct conversion between heat and electricity. The primary effect governing this is the Seebeck effect, where a temperature difference across a junction of two dissimilar conductors or semiconductors produces a voltage. Conversely, the Peltier effect describes the heating or cooling that occurs at a junction when an electric current is passed through it. These effects are fundamental to understanding how thermoelectric materials function.

Thermoelectric devices, such as thermoelectric generators (TEGs) and thermoelectric coolers (TECs), utilize these principles. TEGs convert waste heat directly into electrical energy, offering a solid-state solution for power generation in applications where heat is abundant but difficult to harness conventionally, such as in automotive exhaust systems, industrial processes, and even on spacecraft. TECs, on the other hand, use electricity to create a temperature difference, enabling solid-state refrigeration or heating without moving parts. This makes them ideal for compact cooling applications like portable coolers, electronic device cooling, and scientific instrumentation.

The efficiency of thermoelectric materials is a critical factor in the performance of these devices. Material science research focuses on developing novel materials with high thermoelectric properties, often characterized by a figure of merit (ZT). This involves optimizing electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity. While current thermoelectric technologies have limitations in efficiency compared to traditional methods, ongoing advancements continue to expand their potential applications and improve their viability in various energy harvesting and cooling scenarios.