Thermoelektriske

Thermoelektriske refers to phenomena and devices related to the conversion of heat energy into electrical energy and vice versa using thermoelectric materials. The most well-known thermoelectric effect is the Seebeck effect, where a temperature difference across a thermoelectric material generates an electric voltage. Conversely, the Peltier effect describes the phenomenon where an electric current passed through a junction of two dissimilar thermoelectric materials causes a temperature change at that junction, leading to heating or cooling. The Thomson effect involves heat being absorbed or released when an electric current flows through a conductor of a uniform temperature gradient.

Thermoelectric devices, such as thermoelectric generators (TEGs) and thermoelectric coolers (TECs), utilize these effects. TEGs convert waste heat into electricity, finding applications in areas where heat is readily available but difficult to harness, like in industrial processes or automotive exhaust systems. TECs operate as solid-state heat pumps, capable of heating or cooling small volumes. They are commonly used in portable refrigerators, electronic cooling systems, and laboratory equipment. The efficiency of thermoelectric materials is crucial for the practical application of these devices, and research continues to focus on developing materials with higher thermoelectric performance, often measured by a figure of merit called ZT.