A nonlinear thermodynamic model for a breakdown of the Onsager symmetry and the efficiency of thermoelectric conversion in nanowires

Abstract

We consider non-equilibrium steady-state situations for thermoelectric systems with non-local and non-linear effects. We show that the Onsager symmetry relations for effective transport coefficients break down. We also estimate the consequences of such a breakdown for the efficiency of the thermoelectric energy conversion which, under some conditions, could be higher than in the usual linear regime with Onsager symmetry.