Thermoelectric Effect

Interactive visualization of Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson effects

Effect Type

Thermocouple View

Material A Cu
Junction
Material B Constantan

Temperature Distribution

Electrical Measurements

Heat Flow

Material Properties

Seebeck Coeff S 0 µV/K
Peltier Coeff Π 0 mV
Thomson Coeff τ 0 µV/K
Figure of Merit ZT 0

Parameters

Temperatures

Electrical Parameters

Material Selection

Animation Controls

Quick Presets

Thermoelectric Equations

Seebeck Effect V = S(T₂ - T₁)
Peltier Effect Q = Π·I = S·T·I
Thomson Effect Q = τ·I·ΔT
Thomson Coeff τ τ = T·dS/dT
Figure of Merit ZT ZT = S²σT/κ
Efficiency η = (T_h - T_c)/T_h · (√(1+ZT) - 1)/(√(1+ZT) + T_c/T_h)

What are Thermoelectric Effects?

Thermoelectric effects involve the interconversion of thermal and electrical energy, occurring when a temperature difference is maintained across a material or junction, or when an electric current flows through a temperature gradient.

Seebeck Effect

Voltage from Temperature: The Seebeck effect, discovered by Thomas Johann Seebeck in 1821, describes the generation of an electromotive force (voltage) across a conductor or semiconductor when subjected to a temperature gradient.

Peltier Effect

Heat from Current: The Peltier effect, discovered by Jean Charles Athanase Peltier in 1834, describes the absorption or release of heat when an electric current passes through a junction of two dissimilar materials.

Thomson Effect

Heat in Temperature Gradients: The Thomson effect, predicted by William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) in 1851, describes heat absorption or release when an electric current flows through a homogeneous conductor with a temperature gradient.

Thermoelectric Materials

Figure of Merit ZT: Material performance is characterized by the dimensionless figure of merit ZT = S²σT/κ, where S is Seebeck coefficient, σ is electrical conductivity, T is absolute temperature, and κ is thermal conductivity.

Real-World Applications

Temperature Sensing: Thermocouples are the most widely used temperature sensors.Solid-State Cooling: Peltier devices provide reliable, compact cooling without moving parts.Power Generation: Thermoelectric generators convert waste heat directly to electricity.

Historical Context

The study of thermoelectric effects began in the early 19th century, bridging thermodynamics and electromagnetism. Thomas Johann Seebeck discovered in 1821 that a compass needle deflected near a circuit with two dissimilar metals whose junctions were at different temperatures.