termoelektrilistel

Thermoelectric refers to the direct conversion of temperature differences to electric voltage and vice versa. This phenomenon is based on the thermoelectric effect, which encompasses three main effects: the Seebeck effect, the Peltier effect, and the Thomson effect. The Seebeck effect describes the generation of an electromotive force (voltage) across a conductor when there is a temperature gradient. Conversely, the Peltier effect involves the heating or cooling that occurs at the junction of two dissimilar conductors when an electric current is passed through them. The Thomson effect is the absorption or liberation of heat when an electric current flows through a homogeneous conductor with a 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 industrial processes or automotive exhaust systems. TECs, on the other hand, use electricity to create a temperature difference, making them useful for cooling electronic components, portable refrigerators, and in scientific instrumentation. The efficiency of thermoelectric materials is crucial for the practical application of these devices and is often described by a dimensionless figure of merit, ZT. Research continues to focus on developing new materials with higher ZT values to improve the performance and broaden the applications of thermoelectric technology.