Thermoelectric devices are small, light, and reliable solid-state energy converters that do not produce vibration or noise owing to the absence of mechanical moving parts.¹ Many ceramics—including certain metal oxides, titanium sulfides, and manganese silicides—are promising thermoelectric materials.²

When thermoelectric devices are exposed to a temperature gradient, an electromotive force (voltage) develops, which leads to power generation—the Seebeck effect.² Conversely, when an electric current is passed through thermoelectric materials, depending on the direction of the flow of current, heat is absorbed or evolved—the Peltier effect.¹ The aforementioned phenomena in thermoelectrics make them a sustainable candidate for green electricity generation and cooling or heating purposes in many applications.