Electricity from Heat: The Seebeck Effect in Action

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Published 2020-10-21

Generating electricity from heat without any moving parts sounds like science fiction - yet it's possible! Traditionally, the heat to electricity conversion is done with things like steam turbines and other mechanical systems. But by applying the Seebeck effect, we can directly convert a temperature difference to electricity. In this video, we go over what the Seebeck effect is, how it can be used, and then demonstrate using it to power a small circuit.

Sections:
0:00 - Introduction
0:11 - Electrici-tea generation
1:03 - Seebeck effect explained
2:03 - Thermoelectric generators
2:48 - The importance of heatsinks
3:20 - Demo: Circuit overview
3:54 - Demo: Assembly
5:54 - Demo: Trying it out
7:12 - Discussion on real-world uses
7:59 - Conclusion

Parts:
LED - LTL2R3KRD-EM
TEC - Hebei TEC1-12706

Context:
I made this video to explain the Seebeck effect to students in the 6-8th grades (US grading system). As a result, some terms have been simplified based on the expected prior knowledge of the students. For example, "heat" in physics refers specifically to energy in transfer, but in the presentation, it is used in the more colloquial sense.

This video was shown at the 2020 Virtual Cool Science Festival. Learn more at www.coolscience.org/cool-science-festival.html.

Special thanks to Keysight Technologies for loaning the oscilloscope used in this video! The views I express and materials included in the video are my own and not those of Keysight.

Other Credits:
Lighter_sparks_and_flame.jpg: Hustvedt derivative work: Octave.H, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Cricket Lighter isolated: Anton Zelenov , CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

All Comments (21)

@KF-qj2rn 1 year ago

didn't realize they could power the whole spacecraft, how cool I just want a massive one on my furnace, fireplace, stove, or etc....I wonder what the potential max output could be with current tech...
@cringehooman6625 3 years ago

Thanks! I WAS NOT ABLE TO UNDERSTAND BUT YOU MADE ME UNDERSTAND IN A VERY SIMPLE WAY 😀
@mysticjaarse 2 years ago

Very neat tutorial. Now this Seebeck effect got my brain fired up. Just need to think of heat and cold... to make more electricity. Thank you!
@zaincazorla6914 1 year ago

Thank you, I had an assignment regarding thermoelectric generators and your video helped me a lot. I also cited your video in the references.
@jsykes2000 1 year ago

Great video. Beautifully explained.
@maurobonafaccia6841 1 year ago

Now, that was nice! Thanks for the clear explanation!
@h7opolo 1 year ago

wonderful video. i appreciate you going all out for this.
@Mick-qq1pi 2 years ago

Great explanation and demo.
@tishaqaisara2911 1 year ago

thank you for this video, now i can finally wrap my head around how TEG works!
@emarsshelpline9848 10 months ago

Thanks for giving very useful info.
@mikeraphone6745 1 year ago

Thank you. I now understand the meaning of life. Very well done 👍
@aerithscrush4907 1 year ago

Important .... clear explanation.thank you❤️👍
@ghadoosh88 2 years ago

Great and neat and helpful!! thank you very much
@TRVSH-01 2 months ago

Thanks for sharing, nice set up and presentation ❤
@DrHaffeast 2 years ago

Nice exp and explained. Wow. Thanks
@dalsenov 1 year ago

Very informative video! Thank you!
@shrutiverma5615 1 year ago

very nice demonstration and fun video...thanks
@free_at_last8141 1 year ago

Wonderful video, well done. Subscribed.
@leideedileonardo2569 3 years ago

Very nice explanation, simple, linear, clear: well done! Would you add some figures, like what is the efficiency of this system, how many millivolt per centigrade difference?
@atrothe 2 years ago

great video mate well done