PHYSICS OF THERMOELECTRICITY

The book is comprised of 5 chapters.

THE FIRST CHAPTER “The phenomenological theory of thermoelectric effects” presents the thermodynamic theory generalizations in thermoelectricity, describes the physics of thermoelectric effects. The fundamental thermoelectric relations and generalizations of the first Thomson relation are presented. The most complete classification of thermoelectric effects is given. New effects are described. Recommendations on the conditions of correct effects study are given.

The book may be useful for the realization of thermoelectricity development logics and for the prediction of thermoelectricity advantages in the future.

THE SECOND CHAPTER “The microscopic description of thermoelectric effects” presents the fundamental concepts of the microscopic theory of solid bodies: energy spectra, notions of quasi-particles, methods for kinetic coefficients calculation. Thermoelectric properties of semiconductors are described, including mechanisms of thermoEMF origination, thermoEMF anisotropy and thermoelectric effects in a magnetic field. Thermoelectric properties of metals, their alloys, organic semiconductors and possibilities of attaining high figure of merit of these materials are considered. Descriptions of the non-linear and non-local thermoelectric phenomena, effects under large temperature gradients are given. Thermoelectric effects in semiconductors are described. Thermoelectric effects in artificial media are studied; possibilities of figure of merit improvement in quantum well superlattices are described.

THE THIRD CHAPTER “Eddy thermoelectric currents” is the basis for the development of a generalized theory of thermoelectric power conversion. The theory of inverse problems of thermoelectricity for spatial configuration of the eddy thermoelectric current control is presented. Generalizations of Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction for thermoelectric processes and the resulting non-steady thermoelectric currents are given.

The generalizations presented in the book form new lines of thermoelectricity development.

THE FOURTH CHAPTER “Thermoelectric power conversion” is dedicated to the generalized description of thermoelectric power conversion. Classification of media and fields which produce thermoelectric power conversion is given. The state of thermoelectricity development is analyzed and preferable lines of its development are formulated. Methods for discovery of new thermoelement types are presented. The efficiency of the methods is demonstrated for known thermoelements and new thermoelement types discovered by these methods.

Particular emphasis in the book is placed on the new, yet unused possibilities of therтoelectric power conversion.

THE FIFTH CHAPTER “Thermoelectric conversion of information” deals with description of thermoelectric measuring instruments. The relation between information and energy is given, informability parameter is introduced for thermoelectric measuring devices which describes thermoelectric measuring systems in the new context. The basic informability equation is represented and analyzed. Requirements to thermoelectric materials with a view to achieve maximum informability are formulated. Material optimization methods to achieve maximum informability are described. New prospects for thermoelectric measuring systems development are presented.

The information presented in this book contributes to statement of new investigations in thermoelectricity eventually extending the possibilities of practical application of thermoelectricity. The book may be useful for investigators in thermoelectricity, designers of thermoelectric equipment, physicists of various trends, postgraduates and students, persons willing to get acquainted with thermoelectricity.