Thermoelectric Materials: New Approaches to an Old Problem

MAR 01, 1997

Novel approaches to the creation of unusual electronic materials may result in more efficient thermoelectric refrigerators and power sources with no moving parts.

DOI: 10.1063/1.881752

Gerald Mahan

Brian Sales

Jeff Sharp

Thermoelectrics is an old field. In 1823, Thomas Seebeck discovered that a voltage drop appears across a sample that has a temperature gradient. This phenomenon provided the basis for thermocouples used for measuring temperature and for thermoelectric power generators. In 1838, Heinrich Lenz placed a drop of water on the junction of metal wires made of bismuth and antimony. Passing an electric current through the junction in one direction caused the water to freeze, and reversing the current caused the ice to quickly melt; thus thermoelectric refrigeration was demonstrated (figure 1).

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More about the authors

Gerald Mahan, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Brian Sales, ORNL.

Jeff Sharp, Marlow Industries, Dallas, Texas.