High performance thermoelectrics and challenges for practical devices

Abstract

Thermoelectric materials can be potentially employed in solid-state devices that harvest waste heat and convert it to electrical power, thereby improving the efficiency of fuel utilisation. The spectacular increases in the efficiencies of these materials achieved over the past decade have raised expectations regarding the use of thermoelectric generators (TEG) in various energy saving and energy management applications, especially at mid-high temperature (400-900 oC). However, several important issues that prevent successful TEG commercialisation remain unresolved in good part because of lack of a research roadmap.