Physicists have known about the thermoelectric effect for decades: there are some materials that, when heated, produce electricity. Alas, these materials tend to be both expensive and inefficient. In other words, not much bang for the buck.
But with two interesting new discoveries this week, all that may be about to change. Not soon, perhaps – these are still just a theoretical results in quantum physics, after all – but much, much for the better.
Imagine capturing electricity from the heat of your exhaust pipes, or your brakes, and using it to recharge the battery in your hybrid vehicle. Imagine a solar energy system that converts solar heat directly into electricity cheaper and more efficiently than any photovoltaic cell ever could. Imagine capturing waste heat from a factory, a furnace, or a powerplant, and putting it to good use.
Impossible? Perhaps not for much longer.
continued at Daily Kos....
