Ron Wormus wrote:
Along these lines this looks very promising:
<http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100802101813.htm>
Ha. A combination photovoltaic and thermoelectric chip. Clever.
Similar methods of converting heat at different power levels or
states have been developed. Some advanced thermoelectric chips have
three layers, for hot, medium and cold. The hot side faces the heat
source. This is conceptually similar to a triple expansion steam
engine, and somewhat similar to a combined cycle turbine, wherein
"exhaust heat from the gas turbine is used to produce steam for the
generation of additional electricity by a steam turbine" (Siemens).
- Jed
