lämpövaikutus

Lämpövaikutus, also known as thermal effect or thermoelectric effect, is a phenomenon where heat is generated or absorbed as a result of an electric current passing through a material. This effect is fundamental in various fields, including electronics, thermoelectrics, and energy conversion.

The thermal effect can be understood through the Seebeck effect, named after Thomas Johann Seebeck, who discovered it in 1821. The Seebeck effect describes the generation of an electric voltage (Seebeck voltage) across a junction of two different conductors when there is a temperature difference between the junctions. This voltage can be used to generate electricity or to measure temperature differences.

Conversely, the Peltier effect, discovered by Jean Charles Athanase Peltier in 1834, describes the heating or cooling of a junction of two different conductors when an electric current is passed through it. This effect is utilized in thermoelectric coolers and heaters, which are devices that can either cool or heat a surface by applying an electric current.

The thermal effect is also crucial in thermoelectric materials, which can convert heat directly into electricity. These materials are used in thermoelectric generators to produce electricity from waste heat or in thermoelectric coolers to provide refrigeration without the need for refrigerants.

In summary, Lämpövaikutus is a significant phenomenon that involves the interaction between heat and electricity. It has wide-ranging applications in technology and science, making it an important area of study and development.