Lecture 4: Thermoelectric Effects-Physical Approach

By Mark Lundstrom

Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Published on

Abstract

The effect of temperature gradients on current flow and how electrical currents produce heat currents are discussed. Coupled equations for the electric and heat currents are then presented, and applications to electronic cooling and the generation of electrical power from thermal gradients briefly discussed. In this lecture, we use a physical approach and try to keep the mathematics to a minimum.

Outline:

  1. Introduction
  2. Currentflow
  3. Heatflow
  4. Coupled flows
  5. Thermoelectric devices
  6. Discussion
  7. Summary

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Electronics from the Bottom Up” is an educational initiative designed to bring a new perspective to the field of nano device engineering. It is co-sponsored by the Intel Foundation and the Network for Computational Nanotechnology.

Cite this work

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

  • Mark Lundstrom (2011), "Lecture 4: Thermoelectric Effects-Physical Approach," https://nanohub.org/resources/11747.

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Time

Location

Burton Morgan 121, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

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