Abstract
The intensive reduced efficiency is derived for thermoelectric power generation (in one dimension) from intensive fields and currents, giving . The overall efficiency is derivable from a thermodynamic state function, , where we introduce as the relative current density. The method simplifies the computation and clarifies the physics behind thermoelectric devices by revealing a new materials property , which we call the compatibility factor. Materials with dissimilar compatibility factors cannot be combined by segmentation into an efficient thermoelectric generator because of constraints imposed on . Thus, control of the compatibility factor is, in addition to , essential for efficient operation of a thermoelectric device, and thus will facilitate rational materials selection, device design, and the engineering of functionally graded materials.
- Received 7 April 2003
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.148301
©2003 American Physical Society