A thermoelectric generator is a
semiconductor device that
transforms the heat difference
between its two layers into
electricity.
It belongs to a class of materials
called “thermoelectrics” and are one
of auto industry’s greatest hopes in
what regards the savings obtained
from an internal combustion engine,
and is also called “Peltier
generator.”
With a Peltier generator, a car can
effectively decrease its fuel
consumption by recovering part of
the energy the engine loses as heat
and transferring it to a battery, thus
helping power the car electronics
and even air conditioning. In the
case of hybrid cars, a thermoelectric
generator unit could also translate
heat into motion.
Here’s how you can develop your
own DIY Peltier thermoelectric
generator at home:
1. Take two radiators
They have to be big enough for your
needs and wet them with thermal
fan paste on the place where the
Peltier unit will get stuck(you can
find it in any IT store/RadioShack).
2. Fabricate a thermal
insulator
This is to separate the two
radiators. It can be from anything
you can think of as long as it fits for
your application’s maximum
temperature (doesn’t melt). The
insulator should not be thicker than
the Peltier unit you’ll put between
the radiators. Cut an opening of the
size and shape of the Peltier unit so
it fits perfectly inside the insulator.
Also make space for the two wires.
3. Assemble the generator
Put together the two radiators, the
insulator with the Peltier unit and
apply a heat source on one of the
radiators. The longer you wait, the
higher the voltage and current
(power) you get from the Peltier
device.
Of course, everything has its
limitations, but with a unit the size
of the one in the following video,
you’ll easily be able to power small
gadgets you have around your
home. A bigger thermoelectric
generator would serve higher
purposes.
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