MRS Bulletin: Volume 33 - | Cambridge Core

Thermoelectrics: Direct Solar Thermal Energy Conversion
Terry M. Tritt, Harald Böttner, Lidong Chen
Published online by Cambridge University Press:

31 January 2011, pp. 366-368
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The field of thermoelectricity began in the early 1800s with the discovery of the thermoelectric effect by Thomas Seebeck. Seebeck found that, when the junctions of two dissimilar materials are held at different temperatures (ΔT), a voltage (V) is generated that is proportional to ΔT. The proportionality constant is the Seebeck coeffcient or thermopower: α = −δV/ΔT. When the circuit is closed, this couple allows for direct conversion of thermal energy (heat) to electrical energy. The conversion effciency, ηTE, is related to a quantity called the fgure of merit, ZT, that is determined by three main material parameters: the thermopower α, the electrical resistivity ρ, and the thermal conductivity κ.

Off-Grid Solar for Rural Development
Wole Soboyejo, Roger Taylor
Published online by Cambridge University Press:

31 January 2011, pp. 368-371
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The World Bank estimates that over two billion people on the planet live their daily lives without access to basic, reliable electric services. Rural populations in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and island nations need clean water, health services, communications, and light at night. Small, simple, solar electric systems are part of the solution—increasing the quality of life, often at a cost that is less than what is presently being spent for kerosene, dry-cell batteries, and the recharging of automotive batteries that must be lugged to the nearest town on a weekly basis (see Figure 1).

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