Thermoelectric energy conversion

Thermoelectric effects allows to convert thermal energy directly into electricity or to use electricity for heat pumping or refrigeration purposes. Thermoelectric generators (TEG) and coolers (TEC) are solid state devices having remarkable features like being silent, reliable, scalable, moving part free and long lifespan. Despite their relatively low efficiencies, developments on material technology can lead to spread TEG and TEC devices. Nowadays, there are several applications of TEG and TEC on space, military, mobile and other fields. However, the studies on efficiency of both TE modules and systems continue to achieve superior TE systems for their applications on topics of waste heat recovery, refrigeration and accurate temperature control.

Main targets of TE technologies team are,

  • to develop mathematical models for thermoelectric coolers (TEC)
  • to improve efficiency of TEC systems
  • to design and produce reliable and durable cooler for telecom applications

    Several heat sink designs for TEC modules (first two pictures from left), TEG electric generation from cryogenic liquids and TE based battery cooling system shown below