termiskelektrisk

Termiskelektrisk refers to phenomena and devices related to the direct conversion between heat and electricity. There are three primary 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. This is the principle behind thermoelectric generators, which can convert waste heat into electrical power. Conversely, the Peltier effect involves heat being absorbed or released at the junction of two different conductors when an electric current flows through them. This effect is utilized in thermoelectric coolers, commonly known as Peltier coolers, which can be used for refrigeration or temperature control without moving parts. The Thomson effect, less commonly discussed in practical applications, describes the heating or cooling of a single conductor when an electric current flows through it and there is a temperature gradient along its length.

Thermoelectric materials are crucial for these effects. They typically need to be semiconductors with good electrical conductivity, low thermal conductivity, and a high Seebeck coefficient. Bismuth telluride and lead telluride are examples of materials commonly used in thermoelectric devices. While thermoelectric technology offers advantages like solid-state operation, no moving parts, and silent performance, its efficiency is often lower than conventional methods, limiting its widespread adoption for large-scale power generation. However, it finds applications in niche areas such as spacecraft power, cooling of sensitive electronics, and in some specialized automotive and industrial waste heat recovery systems.