Publisher's Synopsis
For many of those who apply the principles of thermoelectric (TE) technology, temperature dependency is little more than a nuisance which obstructs calculations. In truth, however, the thermal dependency of material properties plays a critical role in thermoelectric interactions, providing the fulcrum for energy balance and stable operations. In over three decades of work within the field, Michael Spry has worked to bring greater understanding to thermoelectric fundamentals and applications. Toward that end, he has developed computer models which rely upon the codependency of thermal gradients and bulk material properties to explore balanced operation throughout TE elements. Employing these models, he has been able to show how temperature dependencies bring thermal gradients and property manifestations to states of equilibrium. These models have also been leveraged for significant insights into the mechanisms governing material properties, successfully recasting thermoelectric fundamentals into a more intuitive framework. The author has packaged detailed explanations, formulations, and illustrations to give readers a much better command of solid state power generation, cooling, and heating. Within this innovative work, the author breaks down each of the material properties and the mechanisms which give rise to them. Furthermore, he integrates the functionality of these properties to show how steady-state operation can evolve within each of the three TE technologies. There is thorough coverage of the Seebeck, Peltier, & Thomson Effects, along with thermal conduction and electrical resistivity-all within the full context of temperature dependency. The author has labored to make this one of the most revealing books ever written about the intricacies of thermoelectric science. With meticulous study, readers can gain a much more thorough grasp of critical concepts.
