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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Synthesis of Non-uniformly Pr-doped SrTiO3 Ceramics and Their Thermoelectric Properties
Published on: August 15, 2015
Three Optima of Thermoelectric Conversion: Insights from the Constant Property Model
Paul Raux1, Christophe Goupil1, Gatien Verley2
1IJCLab, CNRS/IN2P3, Université Paris-Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France.
Abstract:
Starting from Ioffe's description of a thermoelectric converter, we recover the optimal working points of conversion: the point of maximum efficiency and the one of maximal power. Inspired by biological converters' optimization, we compute a third optimal point associated with cost of energy (COE). This alternative cost function corresponds to the amount of heat exchanged with the cold reservoir per unit of electric current used. This work emphasizes the symmetry between the efficiency and performance coefficient of the electric generator and heat pump modes. It also reveals the relation between their optimal working points.
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