Thermoelectric devices can be used to remove heat from hot objects, like computer components or batteries. However, these so-called Peltier coolers are typically optimized for keeping a cold object cold, which is a different thermodynamics problem. Researchers have now developed a new design principle for thermoelectric devices that is tailored for computer and battery applications. As a demonstration, they constructed a cooling system with two types of metal-based thermoelectric materials. Their device reached a performance level about three times higher than traditional semiconductor-based Peltier coolers.
To read more, click here.