Thermoelectric conversion devices offer a promising route for sustainable heat-to-energy conversion. They are particularly attractive for recovering energy from waste heat, such as that produced by conventional fossil fuel-based engines, improving their overall energy efficiency. Around 20–50% of the input energy is lost as waste heat in industries. This could be used as source by thermoelectric conversion devices. These devices also have the potential to enable portable power generation, for example, to run small sensors in remote locations.
Currently, most thermoelectric devices rely on the longitudinal thermoelectric effect in which electricity is generated in the same direction as heat flow. Transverse thermoelectric (TTE) devices that generate voltage perpendicular to the direction of heat flow are a promising alternative. Importantly, TTE devices can be made from a single material, eliminating the need for multiple interfaces, significantly reducing contact resistance and improving overall efficiency. This also makes manufacturing simpler. However, materials that exhibit a strong TTE effect are rare.
By utilizing thin film of MoSi2 as an ideal material for TTE applications, large heat source area could be covered to produce voltage. Overall, this study represents a new direction for finding TTE materials, paving the way for efficient waste heat recovery systems for a greener future.
Source: Eurek Alert!
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