Original thermoelectric development of physical concepts, materials and related technologies and applications

The results of generalizations of the Maxwell equations and Faraday law of electromagnetic induction for nonisothermal media are given. It is shown that this generalization creates a radically new description of the processes of thermoelectric energy conversion based on the use of of eddy thermoelectric fields and eddy thermoelectric currents. The basic postulates of the generalized theory of thermoelectric energy conversion are given. New thermoelement types discovered by computer solutions of the inverse thermoelectricity problems are given. Classification of thermoelements is given, including new thermoelement types discovered by solving the inverse problems. The properties of such thermoelements and their peculiarities that allow successful use of thermoelements in thermoelectric instruments and devices are considered. Typical examples of such use in measuring techniques, power engineering and thermoelectric cooling are given and the prospects of using such thermoelements are considered. Figures of merit of materials for new thermoelement types are given, as well as physical and technological methods of attaining the maximum figure of merit. Information is given on the progress in creating thermoelectric cooling modules of increased reliability, with increased supply voltages, increased refrigerating capacity and cyclic stability. Information is also given on the new developments of thermoelectric generator modules with improved characteristics of efficiency, reliability and resistance to temperature cyclic effects. Systems based on such modules with liquid heat-exchangers are considered. The structure of such systems makes possible their easy adaptation to customer demands for electric and thermal characteristics, pressures and flow rates in liquid circuits, etc. Examples are given of using such modules and systems in refrigerators, air-conditioners, heat and electricity generators. Information is given on the Ukrainian program of investigations and thermoelectricity applications.