Question

List four different compounds that could be used in solid state cooling applications and explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

Solid State Cooling works on the basis of Peltier Effect which creates a heat flux between the junctions of two metrals on expense of electric energy. Such coolintg is therefore also called Thermoelectric Cooling.

The commonly used materials for thermoelectric cooling are the followings:

1. Bismuth Telluride
2. Lead Telluride
3. Silicon Germanium Alloy
4. Bismuth Antimony Alloy

These materials are used because

1. These are narrow band gap semiconductors which can operate at room temperature.
2. These heavy elements have very low thermal conductivity.
3. These alloys are highly anisotropic.