Publication

Characterization of Ge-based clathrates oxidized in air by means of TEM and SEM

Marco Cantoni
2008
Posters

Abstract

Germanium based clathrate-I compounds are considered for their potential applications due to possible thermoelectric and optoelectronic properties. Clathrate compounds may be an alternative to well known thermoelectric materials at higher temperature. In this contribution we examined the stability of these compounds annealed in air. Such experiments are important to simulate the compounds behavior under the conditions of a technological process, e.g. in a thermoelectric module.

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Marco Cantoni
2008
Posters

Abstract

Official source

Related concepts (18)

Thermoelectric materials

Thermoelectric materials show the thermoelectric effect in a strong or convenient form. The thermoelectric effect refers to phenomena by which either a temperature difference creates an electric potential or an electric current creates a temperature difference. These phenomena are known more specifically as the Seebeck effect (creating a voltage from temperature difference), Peltier effect (driving heat flow with an electric current), and Thomson effect (reversible heating or cooling within a conductor when there is both an electric current and a temperature gradient).

Thermoelectric generator

A thermoelectric generator (TEG), also called a Seebeck generator, is a solid state device that converts heat flux (temperature differences) directly into electrical energy through a phenomenon called the Seebeck effect (a form of thermoelectric effect). Thermoelectric generators function like heat engines, but are less bulky and have no moving parts. However, TEGs are typically more expensive and less efficient.

Thermoelectric effect

The thermoelectric effect is the direct conversion of temperature differences to electric voltage and vice versa via a thermocouple. A thermoelectric device creates a voltage when there is a different temperature on each side. Conversely, when a voltage is applied to it, heat is transferred from one side to the other, creating a temperature difference. At the atomic scale, an applied temperature gradient causes charge carriers in the material to diffuse from the hot side to the cold side.