Jump to content

New alloy converts heat directly into electricity


Moontanman

Recommended Posts

New alloy converts heat directly into electricity

By Ben Coxworth

 

newalloy-1.jpg

 

The heat given off by electronics, automobile engines, factories and other sources is a potentially huge source of energy, and various technologies are being developed in order to capture that heat, and then convert it into electricity. Thanks to an alloy that was recently developed at the University of Minnesota, however, a step in that process could be saved - the new material is able to convert heat directly into electricity.

 

http://www.gizmag.com/alloy-converts-heat-into-electricity/19025/?utm_source=Gizmag+Subscribers&utm_campaign=8b45e8a4ee-UA-2235360-4&utm_medium=email

Link to comment
Share on other sites

News flash from 1821

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Johann_Seebeck

discovers thermoelectric effect.

Old alloys convert heat to electricity too.

 

In the journal article they claim that there is some superiority over Seebeck-effect devices, at least under some conditions. e.g. thermoelectrics working better with large temperature differences, but this will work with a small gradient, as long as it incorporates the phase change temperature.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.