Thermoelectrics

The Seebeck effect in thermoelectric (TE) materials pertains to an electric current that flows continuously between two dissimilar metals when their junctions are maintained at two different temperatures.  The voltage thereby produced is proportional to the temperature difference between the two junctions.  This phenomenon can be mathematically described by the relation:  S=-dV/dT, where S is the Seebeck coefficient in general units of Volts/Kelvin, dV is the voltage difference as measured between the hot and cold junction, and dT is the temperature difference.  Typical thermoelectric devices consist of a pair of dissimilar materials, or elements, placed between ceramics or aluminum substrates.  Current devices are primarily made of semi-conducting materials.  The alternating p-type and n-type elements are connected such that the current flows in series while the heat flows in parallel. Heat supplied to the hot side causes electrons and holes to thermally diffuse to the cold side.  That motion is responsible for carrying an electrical charge.

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