Advanced Thermoelectric Materials in Electrical and Electronic Applications

Abstract

Thermoelectric materials are a novel class of materials having unique characteristics. They are Seebeck and Peltier effect materials and are used as thermocouples, for thermoelectric cooling of microelectronic products, as thermoelectric converter for energy conservation etc. Due to their versatility of behaviour, they are now used as construction materials for microelectronic equipment, wireless sensors also. This paper aims at elaborating the development of such materials by compiling the recent and ongoing researches. In this regard, the research developments of some newer materials by other investigators have been presented here. Brief details of the development of thermoelectric generation, thermoelectric cooling, thermoelectric power generator for wearable systems, nano-thermocouple, thermoelectric Peltier microcoolers etc. are presented. In these elaborations, it is shown by the respective investigators that these TE materials can be effectively used in heavily doped semiconductor, thin films, quantum well etc.