Thermoelectric Devices Improve
In 1999 Citizen Watches announced their Eco-watch, which is powered by thermoelectric devices
which obtain electricity from the difference between the heat of one's arm and the air in the
surrounding environment.
The US Department of Energy has projects to add thermoelectric devices to truck and car engines so as
to recover some of the energy now wasted as heat.
Annual meetings discuss Thermoelectric Energy:
http://www.zts.com/node/5481
Boston College, MIT researchers achieve dramatic increase in thermoelectric efficiency
Nanotech advance heralds new era in heating, cooling and power generation
Ed Hayward, Boston College Office of Public Affairs
March 20, 2008
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/thermoelectric-0320.html
Researchers at Boston College and MIT have used nanotechnology to achieve a major increase in
thermoelectric efficiency, a milestone that paves the way for a new generation of products - from
semiconductors and air conditioners to car exhaust systems and solar power technology - that run
cleaner.
The team's low-cost approach, details of which are published today in the online version of the journal
Science, involves building tiny alloy nanostructures that can serve as micro-coolers and power
generators. The researchers said that in addition to being inexpensive, their method will likely result
in practical, near-term enhancements to make products consume less energy or capture energy that
would otherwise be wasted.
etc.
Research aims to make use of cars wasted heat
Colin Holland
EE Times Europe
(06/05/2008 2:40 AM EDT)
http://www.eetimes.com/news/semi/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208402292
LONDON — Researchers in Germany are working on a thermoelectric generator that converts the
heat from car exhaust fumes into electricity. The module feeds the energy into the car's electronic
systems to cuts fuel consumption and help reduce the CO2 emissions from motor vehicles.
In automobiles two-thirds of the fuel is emitted unused in the form of heat. About 30 percent is lost
through the engine block, and a further 30 to 35 percent as exhaust fumes.
Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) devices convert heat into electrical energy by making use of a
temperature gradient. The greater the temperature difference, the more current TEGs can produce.
Space Batteries use Thermoelectric Generators
http://www.osti.gov/accomplishments/rtg.html
Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs), called "space batteries" or "nuclear batteries", have
provided spacecraft power for many years.
Most recently, an RTG provides power for the New Horizons spacecraft which was launched January
19, 2006, ‘from Florida's Kennedy Space Center on a 9-1/2 year journey to explore Pluto and its moons.
The spacecraft will receive heat and electricity from a long-lasting plutonium-238 powered generator
developed and assembled by scientists and engineers at the [Department of Energy's] Idaho, Oak
Ridge and Los Alamos National Laboratories.
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In 1999 Citizen Watches announced their Eco-watch, which is powered by thermoelectric devices
which obtain electricity from the difference between the heat of one's arm and the air in the
surrounding environment.
The US Department of Energy has projects to add thermoelectric devices to truck and car engines so as
to recover some of the energy now wasted as heat.
Annual meetings discuss Thermoelectric Energy:
http://www.zts.com/node/5481
Boston College, MIT researchers achieve dramatic increase in thermoelectric efficiency
Nanotech advance heralds new era in heating, cooling and power generation
Ed Hayward, Boston College Office of Public Affairs
March 20, 2008
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/thermoelectric-0320.html
Researchers at Boston College and MIT have used nanotechnology to achieve a major increase in
thermoelectric efficiency, a milestone that paves the way for a new generation of products - from
semiconductors and air conditioners to car exhaust systems and solar power technology - that run
cleaner.
The team's low-cost approach, details of which are published today in the online version of the journal
Science, involves building tiny alloy nanostructures that can serve as micro-coolers and power
generators. The researchers said that in addition to being inexpensive, their method will likely result
in practical, near-term enhancements to make products consume less energy or capture energy that
would otherwise be wasted.
etc.
Research aims to make use of cars wasted heat
Colin Holland
EE Times Europe
(06/05/2008 2:40 AM EDT)
http://www.eetimes.com/news/semi/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=208402292
LONDON — Researchers in Germany are working on a thermoelectric generator that converts the
heat from car exhaust fumes into electricity. The module feeds the energy into the car's electronic
systems to cuts fuel consumption and help reduce the CO2 emissions from motor vehicles.
In automobiles two-thirds of the fuel is emitted unused in the form of heat. About 30 percent is lost
through the engine block, and a further 30 to 35 percent as exhaust fumes.
Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) devices convert heat into electrical energy by making use of a
temperature gradient. The greater the temperature difference, the more current TEGs can produce.
Space Batteries use Thermoelectric Generators
http://www.osti.gov/accomplishments/rtg.html
Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs), called "space batteries" or "nuclear batteries", have
provided spacecraft power for many years.
Most recently, an RTG provides power for the New Horizons spacecraft which was launched January
19, 2006, ‘from Florida's Kennedy Space Center on a 9-1/2 year journey to explore Pluto and its moons.
The spacecraft will receive heat and electricity from a long-lasting plutonium-238 powered generator
developed and assembled by scientists and engineers at the [Department of Energy's] Idaho, Oak
Ridge and Los Alamos National Laboratories.
Next
Options Index
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