Possible Approaches to High Efficiency Thermoelectric Devices

Thermoelectric power generators can convert thermal energy directly to electrical energy. These devices are maintenance free since they do not have mechanical moving parts. Importantly, waste heat, for example, from thermal plants or the exhaust system of automobiles, can be converted into electricity, thus has potential to increase overall energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Currently available thermoelectric devices are limited due to their poor efficiency caused by low thermoelectric figure of merit. In this work, we discuss the use of energy selective contacts to enhance efficiency of thermoelectric devices.