1.2 Historical development of thermoelectric materials and devices
2 min read•august 9, 2024
Thermoelectric materials have a rich history dating back to the 1800s. From Seebeck's voltage discovery to Peltier's cooling effect, these early findings laid the groundwork for modern thermoelectric devices.
revolutionized the field in the 1950s, with emerging as a game-changer. Today, thermoelectrics power space missions and find use in everyday applications, showcasing their versatility and importance.
Early Pioneers
Seebeck and Peltier Effects
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- discovered the in 1821
- Observed voltage generation when two dissimilar metals were joined and subjected to a temperature gradient
- Led to the development of thermocouples for temperature measurement
- discovered the in 1834
- Found that passing an electric current through a junction of two different metals caused heating or cooling
- Peltier effect forms the basis for thermoelectric cooling devices
Thomson Effect and Theoretical Foundations
- (Lord Kelvin) established the relationship between Seebeck and Peltier effects in 1851
- Predicted and later experimentally verified the Thomson effect
- Thomson effect describes heat absorption or generation when current flows through a material with a temperature gradient
- in early 1900s laid groundwork for thermoelectric efficiency
- Developed mathematical model for and refrigerators
- Identified key material properties for efficient thermoelectric devices (high electrical conductivity, low thermal conductivity)
Semiconductor Thermoelements
Ioffe's Contributions and Bismuth Telluride
- introduced semiconductor thermoelements in the 1950s
- Recognized semiconductors as superior thermoelectric materials compared to metals
- Developed doped semiconductors for improved thermoelectric performance
- Bismuth telluride emerged as a breakthrough thermoelectric material
- Discovered to have excellent thermoelectric properties at room temperature
- Became the primary material for commercial and generators
- Alloys of bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) with antimony and selenium further improved performance
Figure of Merit and Material Optimization
- (ZT) introduced as a measure of thermoelectric material efficiency
- Dimensionless parameter combining Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity
- ZT = (S^2σ / κ)T, where S is Seebeck coefficient, σ is electrical conductivity, κ is thermal conductivity, and T is absolute temperature
- Optimization of ZT became a central focus of thermoelectric research
- Efforts to increase Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity while decreasing thermal conductivity
- Development of new materials and nanostructuring techniques to enhance ZT
Applications
Space Exploration and Terrestrial Use
- (RTGs) developed for space exploration
- Provided long-lasting power source for deep space missions (, , )
- Utilized heat from radioactive decay of plutonium-238 to generate electricity
- Terrestrial applications of thermoelectric devices expanded
- Thermoelectric coolers used in portable refrigerators and electronic cooling
- Waste heat recovery systems in automotive and industrial sectors
- Wearable thermoelectric generators for powering small electronic devices
Key Terms to Review (18)
1950s thermoelectric breakthroughs: The 1950s thermoelectric breakthroughs refer to significant advancements in the field of thermoelectric materials and devices that occurred during this decade, leading to improved efficiency and practical applications. This period marked a turning point as researchers developed new materials and techniques that enhanced the performance of thermoelectric systems, paving the way for their integration into various technologies, including refrigeration and power generation.
20th century advancements: 20th century advancements refer to significant improvements and innovations in thermoelectric materials and devices that occurred during this period, driven by scientific research and technological progress. These advancements played a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and performance of thermoelectric systems, making them more viable for practical applications in power generation and refrigeration.
Abram Ioffe: Abram Ioffe was a prominent physicist and engineer known for his foundational contributions to the field of thermoelectric materials and devices. He is often regarded as the father of modern semiconductor physics, and his work laid the groundwork for the development of thermoelectric materials, influencing various applications in energy conversion and refrigeration technologies.
Altenkirch's Theory: Altenkirch's Theory is a theoretical framework that focuses on understanding the thermoelectric properties of materials, particularly in relation to their efficiency in converting heat into electrical energy and vice versa. This theory contributes to the historical development of thermoelectric materials and devices by providing insights into how certain materials can be optimized for better performance in energy conversion applications, which has been crucial for advancements in this field.
Bismuth Telluride: Bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) is a compound semiconductor known for its excellent thermoelectric properties, making it a popular material for thermoelectric devices. It has the unique ability to convert temperature differences into electric voltage and vice versa, which connects it to both power generation and cooling applications.
Cassini: Cassini refers to a significant historical figure in the field of thermoelectric materials and devices, specifically Giovanni Domenico Cassini, who was known for his contributions to science and mathematics in the 17th century. His work laid foundational principles that later influenced the development of thermoelectric technology, particularly in understanding heat transfer and the behavior of materials under thermal gradients. This connection illustrates how early scientific inquiries have paved the way for modern advancements and ongoing challenges in thermoelectric research.
Figure of Merit: The figure of merit, often represented as ZT, is a dimensionless parameter that quantifies the efficiency of thermoelectric materials and devices. It combines the material's Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity to assess how effectively it can convert temperature differences into electrical power.
Jean Charles Athanase Peltier: Jean Charles Athanase Peltier was a French physicist known for discovering the Peltier effect, which describes the heating or cooling that occurs at the junction of two different conductive materials when an electric current passes through. His work laid the foundation for understanding thermoelectric effects and contributed significantly to the historical development of thermoelectric materials and devices, making him a pivotal figure in this field.
New Horizons: New Horizons refers to the advancements and emerging potentials in thermoelectric materials and devices, often signifying breakthroughs that enhance efficiency, performance, and application possibilities. This concept is pivotal in understanding how historical developments lead to innovative techniques and materials that can revolutionize energy conversion technologies, making them more viable for practical applications.
Peltier Effect: The Peltier Effect is a thermoelectric phenomenon where heat is absorbed or released when an electric current passes through a junction of two different conductors or semiconductors. This effect is fundamental in thermoelectric cooling and heating applications, as it enables the transfer of thermal energy in response to electrical energy, creating temperature differences.
Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators: Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) are devices that convert the heat released by the decay of radioactive isotopes into electrical energy through thermoelectric principles. These generators are crucial for powering spacecraft and remote sensors, showcasing the practical applications of thermoelectrics in environments where conventional energy sources are unavailable.
Seebeck Effect: The Seebeck effect is the phenomenon where a voltage is generated in a circuit made of two different conductive materials when there is a temperature difference between the junctions. This effect is fundamental in understanding how thermal energy can be converted into electrical energy, impacting various thermoelectric applications.
Semiconductors: Semiconductors are materials that have electrical conductivity between that of conductors and insulators. This unique property allows them to control electrical currents, making them essential in the creation of thermoelectric devices, where they help facilitate thermal transport processes and energy conversion. Understanding semiconductors is also crucial in the historical development of thermoelectric materials, as they have evolved to improve efficiency and performance in various applications, including those that utilize the Thomson effect principles for thermoelectric cooling and heating.
Thermoelectric coolers: Thermoelectric coolers (TECs) are solid-state devices that use the Peltier effect to create a temperature difference, allowing for cooling or heating by transferring heat from one side of the device to the other. They are important for applications requiring precise temperature control, offering advantages such as reliability, compactness, and no moving parts, which connects them to various fields including waste heat recovery and electronic cooling.
Thermoelectric Generators: Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are devices that convert heat energy directly into electrical energy through the Seebeck effect. They play a crucial role in harnessing waste heat from various sources, enabling efficient energy conversion and utilization.
Thomas Johann Seebeck: Thomas Johann Seebeck was a German physicist and inventor known for discovering the Seebeck effect, which is the generation of an electric voltage in a circuit made of two different conductors subjected to a temperature difference. His work laid the foundation for understanding thermoelectric phenomena, significantly impacting the development of thermoelectric materials and devices throughout history.
Voyager: Voyager refers to the NASA space probes, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, launched in 1977 to explore the outer planets and eventually interstellar space. These missions have provided invaluable data on the solar system and have set a precedent for technological advancements in thermoelectric materials used in space exploration, showcasing the importance of developing efficient power sources for long-duration missions.
William Thomson: William Thomson, also known as Lord Kelvin, was a prominent physicist and engineer in the 19th century, known for his foundational contributions to thermodynamics and the understanding of heat transfer. His work laid the groundwork for the development of thermoelectric materials and devices, significantly influencing how scientists and engineers approached energy conversion technologies.