The Seebeck effect is a phenomenon that converts a temperature difference into an electrical voltage and vice versa. It is named after Thomas Johann Seebeck, a German physicist who discovered it in 1821.

The Seebeck Effect:

The Seebeck effect is defined as the creation of an electric potential (or voltage) between two dissimilar conductors or semiconductors that are connected in a loop and have a temperature difference between their junctions. The voltage is proportional to the temperature difference and depends on the material used.

For an example, a thermocouple is a tool that uses the Seebeck result to measure temperature. It consists of two wires made of different metals (such as copper and iron) joined at both ends. And One end is exposed to a hot origin(such as a flame) and the other end is hold on cold (such as in ice water). The temperature difference between the ends creates a voltage across the wires, which can be measured with a voltmeter.

As we know The Seebeck effects can also be used to generate electricity from waste heat. As the thermoelectric generator is a tools that consists of many thermocouples connected in series or parallel. The hot side of the thermocouple is connected to the heat source (such as an engine or furnace) and the cold side is connected to the heat sink (such as air or water). The temperature difference between the sides creates a voltage that can power an electrical load (such as a light bulb or fan).

How Does the Seebeck Effect Work you know about it :

The Seebeck effect can be describe by the behavior of electrons in conductors and semiconductors. The Electrons are negatively charged particles that move freely in these materials. When a conductor or semiconductor is heated, its electrons gain more kinetic energy and move faster. This causes them to spread from the hot region to the cold region, creating an electric current.

However, different materials have different numbers and types of electrons available for conduction. Some materials have more electrons than others, and some have electrons with different spin directions. Spin is a quantum property of electrons that makes them act like miniature magnets. When two materials with different electron properties come together, they form an interface where electrons can exchange energy and move around.

The Seebeck effect take place when two such interfaces are to be subjected to a temperature difference. Electrons at the hot interface gain more energy and move away from the heat source and transfer them through the loop to the electrons at the cold interface. This creates an disparity of charge and spin between the interfaces, resulting in an electric potential and a magnetic field. An electric potential drives an electric current through the loop, while a magnetic field deflects a compass needle placed near it.

Applications of the Seebeck Effect:

Applications are given below:

Thermocouples:

These are apparatus that use the Seebeck effect to take the measurements of temperature with high accuracy and sensitivity. They are widely used in industries, laboratories and households for various purposes, such as controlling ovens, monitoring engines, measuring body temperature, etc.

Thermometric generators:

These are devices that use the Seebeck effect to convert waste heat into electricity for specific applications, such as spacecraft, remote sensors, medical implants, etc.

Spin Caloritonics:

This is a branch of physics that studies how heat and spin interact in magnetic materials. The Seebeck effect plays an important part in this field, as it can produce spin currents and voltages from temperature gradients. This could lead to new devices for information processing and storage, such as spin batteries, spin transistors, spin valves, etc.

Advantages and Limitations of the Seebeck Effect:

The advantages and Limitations are give below:

The Seebeck effect is simple, reliable and versatile. It requires no moving parts or external power sources. It can be operate over a wide range of temperatures and substance It can generate electricity from low-temperature sources that would otherwise be wasted.

Limitations:

The Seebeck effect is limited by material availability and compatibility. It can be requires substance with high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity to achieve high voltage and low heat loss. It also requires materials with different thicknesses.Coefficient to generate voltage difference.

The Seebeck coefficient be conditional on on the kind and concentration of accuse of is to be carriers, their energy levels, and their reciprocity with the lattice. The Seebeck coefficient can be different
with temperature, composition, and is magnetic field. Finding substance with exorbitant and steady Seebeck coefficients for thermometric is an applications is a challenge.

Types of Materials Used for the Seebeck Effect:

Metals:

The metal are good conductors for both electricity and heat:They have low Seebeck coefficients and high thermal conductivity, making them unsuitable for thermometric applications. However, the metals are easy to fabricate and weld, and have high mechanical strength and durability. Metals are commonly used for thermoplastic, where accuracy and durability are more important than performance. Some examples of metal joints used for thermoplastic are copper-constant an, iron-constant an, chrome-alum etc.

Semiconductors:

Semiconductors are materials with intermediate electrical conductivity that can be controlled by doping or applying an electric field. They have a higher Seebeck coefficient and lower thermal conductivity than metals, making them more suitable for Thermometric applications. However, semiconductors are more difficult to fabricate and assemble, and have lower mechanical strength and stability than metals. Semiconductors are commonly used for Thermometric generators and coolers, where performance and efficiency are more important than accuracy and durability.

EXAMPLES:

Thermometric devices are give below:

bismuth telluride-antimony telluride, lead telluride-silicon germanium etc.

Superconductors: 

This types pf Superconductors are materials that have zero (0) electrical resistance below a critical temperature.They have very high Seebeck coefficients and very low thermal conductivity, making them ideal for thermometric applications. However, superconductors are very rare and expensive, and require very low temperatures to function, which limits their practical use. Superconductors are primarily used for research purposes, such as studying the spin Seebeck effect, a phenomenon that involves the creation of a spin voltage by a temperature gradient in a magnetic material.

Result:

The Seebeck effect is an interesting phenomenon that converts a temperature difference into an electrical voltage and vice versa. It has many applications in science, engineering, and technology, such as thermoplastic, thermometric generators, thermometric coolers, and spin caloritonics. The Seebeck is to be effect depends on the materials are used, their electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient. Finding materials with high and stable Seebeck coefficients is a challenge to improve the performance and efficiency of thermometric devices.