Thermoelectricity

Thermoelectricity is the phenomenon where temperature differences generate electrical voltage. When one side of a material is heated, charge carriers (electrons or holes) in the material move from the hot side to the cold side, creating an electric current without moving parts. Conversely, applying an electric voltage can produce a temperature difference, enabling cooling or heating. This property is used in power generation from waste heat and in solid-state cooling devices. The efficiency depends on the material's ability to conduct electricity well while resisting heat flow, which researchers aim to optimize for practical energy solutions.