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The hypothetical Carnot cycle consists of an ideal gas subjected to two isothermal and two adiabatic processes. Since the internal energy of an ideal gas depends only on its temperature, which is the same before and after the completion of the Carnot cycle, there is no change in its internal energy. Hence, using the first law of thermodynamics, the total heat exchanged by the ideal gas equals the total work done. Thus, we can quantify the efficiency of the Carnot cycle via the heat exchanged...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Synthesis of Non-uniformly Pr-doped SrTiO3 Ceramics and Their Thermoelectric Properties

Synthesis of Non-uniformly Pr-doped SrTiO₃ Ceramics and Their Thermoelectric Properties

Published on: August 15, 2015

Thermoelectric properties and efficiency measurements under large temperature differences.

A Muto¹, D Kraemer, Q Hao

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.

The Review of Scientific Instruments

|October 2, 2009

Summary

This study introduces a new method to accurately measure thermoelectric material properties. The technique reduces uncertainties in the dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) for improved generator efficiency.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Thermoelectric Energy Conversion
Solid State Physics

Background:

Thermoelectric generator efficiency relies on the material's dimensionless figure of merit (ZT).
Accurate ZT determination is challenging due to temperature-dependent properties and measurement uncertainties from using multiple tools and samples.
Existing methods often lead to significant uncertainties in reported ZT values.

Purpose of the Study:

To present a novel experimental technique for precise characterization of thermoelectric materials.
To reduce uncertainties in measuring thermoelectric properties and conversion efficiency.
To provide a reliable method for material evaluation before thermoelectric generator implementation.

Main Methods:

A single experimental setup measures Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity of a single thermoelectric leg.
Measurements are performed under a large temperature difference (2-160 °C).
The technique involves a single mounting of the thermoelectric leg, ensuring consistent measurement direction and corroboration via efficiency measurements.

Main Results:

The new technique minimizes uncertainties associated with individual property measurements.
Directly measured power and efficiency closely match values calculated from the measured properties, with agreement within 0.4% and 2%, respectively.
The experimental approach validates the accuracy of the measured thermoelectric parameters.

Conclusions:

The developed experimental technique offers a more reliable method for thermoelectric material characterization.
It provides accurate ZT values and efficiency data under realistic operating conditions.
This method is ideal for pre-implementation material assessment in thermoelectric generators.