Perspective— Powerful Micro/Nano-Scale Heat Engine: Thermoelectric Converter on Chip

Abstract

As heat engines, thermoelectric converters can utilize a large amount of free low-grade thermal energy in the environment to generate electricity cleanly and quietly, contributing to a sustainable low-carbon life. They can also act as refrigerators and sensors based on their special ability to reversibly convert heat to electricity. Attractively, thermoelectric converters fabricated by microelectromechanical system technology exhibit more powerful potential when reaching the micro/nano-scale owing to the characteristics of electrons and phonons transport, with cost-effective mass manufacturing advantages. Thermoelectric converters will play an increasingly important role in extensive fields with a bright future.