This book is intended to serve as an in-depth analysis of thermoelectric theory, an overview of present day thermoelectric materials and devices, and as an updated source of information on the most studied recent thermoelectric materials developments. The main emphasis is on a basic understanding of the concepts and experimental techniques needed to propel researchers towards new and novel classes of thermoelectric materials with enhanced properties. The aim is to assist researchers in the field. The text is an expanded edition of a previous text "Electronic Refrigeration" by one of the authors, Julian Goldsmid. Half of the text is devoted to research that has taken place since the publication of that text. In addition, emphasis is placed on new materials research and developments.

Klappentext

An in-depth analysis of thermoelectric theory, an overview of present day thermoelectric materials and devices, and updated information on the most studied thermoelectric materials development. The main emphasis is on a basic understanding of the concepts as well as experimental techniques needed to propel researchers towards new and novel classes of thermoelectric materials with enhanced properties.

Inhalt

1 Historical Development.- 2 Transport of Heat and Electricity in Solids.- 3 Selection and Optimization Criteria.- 4 Measurement and Characterization.- 5 Review of Established Materials and Devices.- 6 The Phonon-Glass Electron-Crystal Approach to Thermoelectric Materials Research.- 7 Complex Chalcogenide Structures.- 8 Low-Dimensional Thermoelectric Materials.- 9 Thermionic Refrigeration.- References.