Thermoelectric Power Generators and Their Applications

The formation of fossil fuels spans millions of years, yet their consumption has escalated rapidly due to modern industrial development within a brief timeframe. Additionally, a significant portion of energy in industrial processes is lost as heat, leading to a pronounced energy shortage crisis. Consequently, numerous researchers have endeavored to transform this waste heat into usable electrical energy, thereby mitigating the current energy crisis. At this pivotal moment, thermoelectric conversion technology emerges as a solution. In this chapter, a comprehensive introduction to the principles of thermoelectric conversion and the performance metrics of thermoelectric materials and devices is provided. Furthermore, we review the synthesis and shaping techniques of conventional thermoelectric materials such as GeTe and Bi 2 Te 3 . Research advancements in novel thermoelectric materials have also been reviewed , including Half-Heusler alloys, thermoelectric liquids, two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), black phosphorus, and MXenes. The classification of thermoelectric device structures and their corresponding application scenarios, based on distinct structural features, are subsequently discussed. In conclusion, we address future challenges for thermoelectric conversion technology, encompassing the unsatisfactory performance of thermoelectric materials and constraints in additive manufacturing technologies.