Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting: Materials, Devices, and Real-World Applications
$ 70
Description
The globe is currently dealing with serious issues such as high energy prices, energy security, climate change, and environmental concerns. To address these issues, there is a global drive toward sustainable energy sources and cost-effective energy conversion materials. Thermoelectric materials, which can convert heat into energy via the thermoelectric effect, are at the forefront of this study. These materials find applications in various devices like thermoelectric generators and temperature sensors. The efficiency of thermoelectric materials is determined by their thermoelectric properties, including the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. These properties, linked to the material's electronic structure, play a vital role in predicting its performance in different applications. Researchers have been investigating thermoelectricity for centuries, aiming to harness waste heat for electricity generation sustainably. In recent studies, computational methods based on density functional theory have been employed to explore a wide range of chemical compositions. Guided by the valence electron count rule, researchers have identified several new semiconducting half and full Heusler compounds with multinary substitutions. These discoveries open the door to developing highly efficient and economically viable thermoelectric devices, paving the way for environmentally friendly energy conversion technologies.