Thermoelectricity was discovered in 1821 and developed into a practical technology 1950's and 1960's. It now provides electronic refrigeration and electronic power generation for a number of important, niche applications. Widespread use of thermoelectric technology, however, requires significant improvements in efficiency. This talk is an undergraduate level introduction to the field. After a brief discussion of applications, the physics of the Peltier effect is described, and the Figure of Merit (FOM), ZT, which controls the efficiency of a thermoelectric refrigerator or electric power generator, is discussed. The talk concludes with a brief look at the role that nanoscience may play in increasing the FOM and broadening the applications for thermoelectric technology.

Physics REU Pizza Seminars

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Mark Lundstrom (2010), "Thermoelectric Nanotechnology," https://nanohub.org/resources/9421.

  BibTex | EndNote

1. band structure
2. nanoelectronics
3. Peltier coefficient
4. thermoelectricity/thermoelectrics