Converting energy from hot engines via thermoelectric devices

Energy lost from hot engines could save billions of dollars if it could be captured and converted into electricity via thermoelectric devices, a Clemson University physicist has said.

Washington, Oct 4 : Energy lost from hot engines could save billions of dollars if it could be captured and converted into electricity via thermoelectric devices, a Clemson University physicist has said.

"Thermoelectric generators are currently used in NASA's deep-space probes to convert the heat of radioactive elements to electrical energy, powering these systems for over 30 years. Thermoelectric energy conversion is a solid-state technology that is environmentally friendly. One of the more promising 'down-to-earth' applications lies in waste-heat recovery in cars," said university physicist Terry Tritt.

Tritt said more than 60 percent of the energy that went into an automotive combustion cycle was lost, primarily to waste heat through the exhaust or radiator system.

"Even at the current efficiencies of thermoelectric devices, seven-eight percent, more than 1.5 billion gallons of diesel could be saved each year in the U.S. if thermoelectric generators were used on the exhaust of heavy trucks. That translates into billions of dollars saved," Tritt said.

He said university scientists are now focussing their research on developing higher-efficiency thermoelectric materials that could increase savings significantly.

Research on the electrical and thermal properties of new materials could reduce the world's reliance on fossil fuels, he said, adding that studies have shown promise with two classes of materials: low-dimensional systems for enhanced electrical properties and increased phonon scattering that leads to inherently low thermal conductivity.

Tritt presented his hypothesis at the Alan MacDairmid Memorial Nano Energy Summit on challenges in alternative energy.

ANI