Читать книгу Flexible Thermoelectric Polymers and Systems - Группа авторов - Страница 15

Electrical current is generated at the presence of temperature gradient in terms of the Seebeck effect. There is a reverse process to take away heat by applying an electrical current to a thermoelectric material. This is called the Peltier effect. When a charge carrier transports from the cold side to the hot side, it will bring heat from the cold side to the hot side. Thus, this can lower the temperature of the cold side.

The Peltier coefficient (Π) is related to the Seebeck coefficient by

(1.10)

In terms of this relationship, a material with a high Seebeck coefficient also has a high Peltier coefficient. Apart from the heat transfer by the Peltier effect, electrical current will generate Joule heat as well. Thus, the conductivity of the thermoelectric materials is also an important parameter for the Peltier cooling.