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Peltier Effect

1834
  • Jean Charles Athanase Peltier
Thermoelectric cooler demonstrating Peltier effect in a vintage laboratory setting.

The Peltier effect is the presence of heating or cooling at an electrified junction of two different conductors. When a direct current flows through a junction between two dissimilar materials, heat is either emitted or absorbed at the junction, depending on the direction of the current. The rate of heat transfer is proportional to the current ([latex]Q = \Pi \cdot I[/latex]).

The Peltier effect is the thermodynamic reverse of the Seebeck effect. It occurs when an external current is forced through a junction of two thermoelectric materials, such as an n-type and a p-type semiconductor. The current forces charge carriers (electrons in the n-type, holes in the p-type) to cross the junction. To do so, the carriers must either gain or lose energy to match the energy levels of the next material.

If the carriers move to a higher average energy state in the second material, they must absorb energy from their surroundings, causing the junction to cool down. Conversely, if they move to a lower energy state, they release excess energy as heat, warming the junction. The amount of heat absorbed or released is quantified by the Peltier coefficient ([latex]Pi[/latex]). A typical Peltier device consists of many such p-n junctions connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel, creating a cold side and a hot side. Heat is pumped from the cold side to the hot side, from which it must be dissipated, making Peltier devices solid-state heat pumps.

UNESCO Nomenclature: 2211
– Solid state physics

Type

Physical Effect

Disruption

Substantial

Usage

Widespread Use

Precursors

  • discovery of the seebeck effect (1821)
  • understanding of electrical circuits and junctions
  • advances in materials science to create dissimilar conductors

Applications

  • thermoelectric coolers (tecs) or Peltier coolers
  • portable refrigerators and car coolers
  • precision temperature control for scientific instruments and lasers
  • thermal cyclers for dna amplification (pcr)
  • spot cooling of electronic components like cpus

Patents:

NA

Potential Innovations Ideas

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Related to: Peltier effect, thermoelectric cooling, Peltier cooler, solid-state refrigeration, TEC, heat pump, Joule heating, Peltier coefficient, semiconductor junction, thermal management.

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Historical Context

(if date is unknown or not relevant, e.g. "fluid mechanics", a rounded estimation of its notable emergence is provided)

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