Thermoelectricity for future sustainable energy technologies

摘要: Thermoelectricity is a general term for number of effects describing the direct interconversion heat and electricity. Thermoelectric devices are therefore promising, environmental-friendly alternatives to conventional power generators or cooling units. Since mid-90s, research on thermoelectric properties their applications has steadily increased. In course years, development high-temperature resistant TE materials emerged as one main areas interest focusing both basic practical applications. A wide range innovative cost-efficient material classes been studied improved. This also led advances in synthesis metrology. The paper starts out with history, underlying conversion selected examples application. part focuses including an outline design rules, review most common feasibility improved future converters.