Thermoelectrics: New Materials by Design?

Mary Anne White, Dalhousie University

Thermoelectric materials can use the Seebeck effect to convert thermal energy to electrical power, or, conversely, use the Peltier effect to provide solid-state cooling. Both cases provide useful devices but, unfortunately, their thermodynamic efficiencies are very low, ca. 10%. In principle, the efficiencies of thermoelectric devices could be increased considerably by increasing the electrical conductivity and reducing the thermal conductivity of the active materials. Results from recent efforts to produce more efficient thermoelectric materials will be presented, with an emphasis on novel ways to reduce thermal conductivity.

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