Thermoelectric Generator

 

A Thermoelectric Generator (TEG) is one of those deceptively simple, quietly brilliant devices: it turns heat directly into electricity—no moving parts, no fluids, no noise.

How it works (the core idea)

TEGs use the Seebeck effect:

• When two different semiconductor materials are joined
• And one side is hot while the other is cold
• Charge carriers move → DC electricity is generated

Heat gradient = power 🔥❄️⚡

Basic structure

• Hot side: exhaust, engine block, industrial waste heat, geothermal, solar thermal
• Cold side: heatsink, ambient air, water cooling
• Thermoelectric couples:
  • n-type semiconductor
  • p-type semiconductor
• Sandwiched between ceramic plates

Many couples are connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel to boost voltage.

Materials commonly used

• Bismuth Telluride (Bi₂Te₃) – low/medium temperatures
• Lead Telluride (PbTe) – higher temperatures
• Silicon–Germanium (SiGe) – space & extreme heat
• Advanced research: skutterudites, half-Heuslers, graphene hybrids

Performance reality check

• Typical efficiency: 5–8%
• Advanced/lab systems: 10–15%
• Low efficiency, BUT:
  • Works 24/7
  • Uses waste heat
  • Extremely reliable (decades of operation)

Where TEGs are used

• 🚀 Space probes (RTGs on Voyager, Curiosity rover)
• 🚗 Automotive exhaust heat recovery
• 🏭 Industrial waste heat
• 🧊 Remote sensors & IoT
• 🔥 Camping stoves that charge phones
• ⚡ Hybrid systems (TEG + solar / battery)

Why engineers love them

✅ No moving parts
✅ Silent
✅ Maintenance-free
✅ Works in harsh environments
❌ Low efficiency
❌ Needs good heat management

Simple power equation (intuition-level)

Power ∝ (Temperature Difference)² × Material ZT

Where ZT is the thermoelectric “figure of merit” (the holy grail researchers chase).

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If you want, I can:

• Create a detailed infographic (physics + real numbers)
• Design a TEG system for vehicles, data centers, or orbital platforms
• Build an HTML simulator with live temperature gradients and power output
• Compare TEG vs Stirling vs ORC systems

Just tell me the direction 🚀