| Title: | THERMAL TO ELECTRIC ENERGY CONVERSION |
| DOI No: | 10.1142/9789812701510_0027 |
| Source: | CONDENSED MATTER NUCLEAR SCIENCE (pp 305-314)
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| Author(s): | PETER L. HAGELSTEIN
Research Laboratory of Electronics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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| Abstract: | As research in the area of excess power production moves forward, issues associated with thermal to electric conversion become increasingly important. This paper provides a brief tutorial on basic issues, including the Carnot limit, entropy, and thermoelectric conversion. Practical thermal to electric conversion is possible well below the Carnot limit, and this leads to a high threshold for self-sustaining operation in Pons-Fleischmann type experiments. Excess power production at elevated temperatures will become increasingly important as we move toward self-sustaining devices and energy production for applications. Excess power production in heat-producing systems that do not require electrical input have an enormous advantage over electrochemical systems. Such systems should be considered seriously within our community in the coming years. |
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