THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS AS ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF LOW-POWER

The explosive expansion in microelectronics, with a relentless drive t owards smaller and smaller circuits, is accompanied by a requirement f or miniature power sources. Thermoelectric generating devices offer a potential for meeting this requirement. In this paper an introduction to the fundamentals of thermoelectric generation is followed by a brie f description of the basic components of a thermoelectric generator. T he developments in fabrication methods are outlined which have resulte d in a progressive reduction in device dimensions from monolithic stru ctures, a few centimetres in extent, to tapes and films and finally in tegrated thermoelectric circuits of microscopic dimensions. This is fo llowed by a comprehensive review of the applications of miniature ther moelectric generating devices. Finally, some conclusions are drawn reg arding future advances in this area of thermoelectric research.