Waste Heat Can Be Converted Into Electricity

[rangerrebew]

Waste Heat Can Be Converted Into Electricity
April 10, 2018

Mechanical engineers at the University of California, Riverside, have reported success in using inexpensive materials to produce thermoelectric devices that transform low-level waste heat into electricity.

Their advance could enable a wide variety of commercial applications. For example, integrating thermoelectric generating devices into computer chips could enable the heat they produce to provide a power source. Waste heat from automobile engines could run a car’s electronics and provide cooling. Photovoltaic solar cells could be made more efficient by harnessing the heat from sunlight striking them to generate more electricity.

https://scienceblog.com/500248/waste-heat-can-be-converted-into-electricity/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+scienceblogrssfeed+%28ScienceBlog.com%29

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Always beware of engineering studies from California universities.

[thackney]

Always beware of engineering studies from California universities.

The article is lacking in mentioning of dollars, costs, etc.

[Free Vulcan]

I can't see the numbers being good enough to be worth the investment.

[thackney]

I can't see the numbers being good enough to be worth the investment.

The first part is the reason for the second part of your statement.

[Smokin Joe]

Another perpetual motion machine. Computer generates heat which generates power which runs the computer....sounds like one of those 'fur farm' scams....

[thackney]

Another perpetual motion machine. Computer generates heat which generates power which runs the computer....sounds like one of those 'fur farm' scams....

I don't see it claimed as being efficient, let alone 100% efficient.  The technology isn't new, we have used it for decades.  They are just claiming it to be capable of being done without rare materials.

This is a thermocouple, scaled up.

[Smokin Joe]

I don't see it claimed as being efficient, let alone 100% efficient.  The technology isn't new, we have used it for decades.  They are just claiming it to be capable of being done without rare materials.

This is a thermocouple, scaled up.

I'm kidding, sorta, but really admonishing the attentive to beware more pie in the sky.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

I'm kidding, sorta, but really admonishing the attentive to beware more pie in the sky.

and that is why I warned about those studies from CA schools, where huge amounts are paid by CA officials looking the the proverbial golden goose of endless energy supply....

[Smokin Joe]

and that is why I warned about those studies from CA schools, where huge amounts are paid by CA officials looking the the proverbial golden goose of endless energy supply....

...even though you might actually get more energy burning the subsidy money (small bills, please) than from the project.

[Joe Wooten]

The article is lacking in mentioning of dollars, costs, etc.

Yep. When it is not economical, costs are never mentioned.