After eliminating an oxidation issue that had reduced performance in previous tests, the researchers were able to obtain a high conversion rate, as described in the study published in the journal
. This new material, purified tin selenide in polycrystalline form, possesses all the good stuff it needs to become a viable material for converting waste heat to electricity. Thermoelectricity is a fascinating two-way mechanism that converts temperature variations to electric voltage and vice versa. While thermoelectric devices are used in some, likeThese devices have not taken off like solar cells due to the substantial hurdles in producing good ones.
To put it simply, thermoelectric systems generate electricity by utilizing a temperature gradient. When one side of a special material is heated, this can cause electrons to begin moving from the warmer side to the cooler side, resulting in the generation of an electric current. By utilizing this technology, scientists could one day help recycle energy that would otherwise be wasted as heat in electronics, power plants, and engines.