Thermoelectric Materials: New Directions and Approaches : Symposium Held March 31-April 3, 1997, San Francisco, California, USA

Front Cover
Terry M. Tritt
Materials Research Society, 1997 - Science - 348 pages
Thermoelectric materials are utilized in a wide variety of applications related to solid-state refrigeration or small-scale power generation. More specifically, these applications range from beverage coolers to power generation for deep-space probes such as the Voyager missions. Over the past several years, however, research in the field of thermoelectric materials has been undergoing a rapid rebirth. The enhanced interest in better thermoelectric materials has been driven by the need for much higher performance and new temperature regimes in thermoelectric devices. The focus of this volume is embodied in the title, New Directions and Approaches. The volume emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of the research needed to advance the science and technology. Theoretical studies in materials design, which provide guidance to the experimentalist, are reviewed. Experimental efforts are also featured and include new capabilities in solid-state synthesis, thin-film and superlattice development, and new developments in property measurement of which thermal conductivity will play a central role. New ideas in device design are also discussed.

From inside the book

Contents

Selection and Evaluation of Materials for Thermoelectric
15
Experimental Transport Phenomena and Optimization
37
Prospects for High Thermoelectric Figures of Merit in
55
Copyright

33 other sections not shown

Common terms and phrases

Bibliographic information