thermoelectric
Heat becomes electrical current
Thermoelectric describes the direct conversion between temperature differences and electrical voltage.
Thermoelectric devices can generate electricity from heat or use electricity to create cooling.
The technology appears in specialized applications: thermoelectric generators power spacecraft, while thermoelectric coolers chill portable refrigerators and computer components.
Series-connected temperature-sensing junctions
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- junctionPoint where things meet
- efficiencyProductive without waste
- generatorElectricity-producing machine
Partial electrical conductor
- n-typeSemiconductor with electron majority
- p-typeHole-majority charge carrier semiconductor
- nanostructuresAtomic-scale engineered arrangements
- alloyMetallic combination
conductivity · doping · oxide
Vehicle for outer space
- wearablesBody-mounted tech devices
- automotiveRelating to motor vehicles
- industrialOf factories and production
- sensorsDevices that detect input
watches · NASA · Voyager · radioisotope · off-grid · self-powered
thermopile
Series-connected temperature-sensing junctions
- voltageElectrical potential difference
- junctionPoint where things meet
- efficiencyProductive without waste
semiconductor
Partial electrical conductor
- n-typeSemiconductor with electron majority
- p-typeHole-majority charge carrier semiconductor
- nanostructuresAtomic-scale engineered arrangements
alloy · conductivity · doping · oxide
refrigeration
Heat removal for preservation
- moduleIndependent functional component
spacecraft
Vehicle for outer space
- wearablesBody-mounted tech devices
- automotiveRelating to motor vehicles
- industrialOf factories and production
sensors · watches · NASA · Voyager · radioisotope · off-grid · self-powered
- thermo- wordsthermometer, thermostat, thermos, thermodynamics, thermophile
- materialsmetal, metals, wood, ceramic, fabric
- electricitybattery, batteries, wire, wires, outlet
- coolingair conditioning, refrigeration, air cooler, heat sink, evaporator
- energy systemspower plant, power grid, generators, solar power, wind power
- power systemsgenerators, turbines, power plants, power stations, power grid
thermoelectricphotovoltaic
Light-to-electricity converting
photoelectric · piezoelectric · electrochemical · electromagnetic · photonic