The effect of temperature gradients on current flow and how electrical currents produce heat currents are discussed. Coupled equations for the electric and heat currents are then presented, and applications to electronic cooling and the generation of electrical power from thermal gradients briefly discussed. In this lecture, we use a physical approach and try to keep the mathematics to a minimum.

Outline:

1. Introduction
2. Currentflow
3. Heatflow
4. Coupled flows
5. Thermoelectric devices
6. Discussion
7. Summary

“Electronics from the Bottom Up” is an educational initiative designed to bring a new perspective to the field of nano device engineering. It is co-sponsored by the Intel Foundation and the Network for Computational Nanotechnology.

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Mark Lundstrom (2011), "Lecture 4: Thermoelectric Effects-Physical Approach," https://nanohub.org/resources/11747.

  BibTex | EndNote

1. bottom up approach
2. nanoelectronics
3. Summer School
4. thermal transport
5. thermoelectricity/thermoelectrics