Thermoelectric Energy Conversion and Materials

This chapter starts out by explaining the thermoelectric energy conversion principles, followed by outlining prominent application potentials in energy conversion. Different thermoelectric materials, based on their optimal application temperatures, are divided into three groups: low-temperature, moderate-temperature, and high-temperature thermoelectric materials. Since the microstructures also greatly influence the figure of merit for thermoelectric materials, processing examples are offered to expound on their effects.