Feedback-type thermoelectric effect in correlated solids

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel thermoelectric effect mechanism inspired by Maxwell's demon, providing a specific solid-state model and demonstrating potential for high efficiency in thermoelectric materials.

Contribution

A new thermoelectric effect mechanism is modeled in solids, showing how it can achieve high efficiency within realistic parameters.

Findings

High $ZT$ values achievable in the proposed model

The effect responds effectively to electric fields and temperature gradients

Potential for improved thermoelectric device performance

Abstract

A new thermoelectric effect mechanism inspired by an autonomous Maxwell's demon [P. Strasberg, G. Schaller, T. Brandes, and M. Esposito, Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 040601 (2013)] is proposed. In contrast to the former work where a model for microscopic systems is proposed, a specific model for the thermoelectric effect in solid is formulated and its response to the electric field and temperature gradient is calculated in the framework of stochastic thermodynamics. The results show that relatively high $ZT$, which represents efficiency of the thermoelectric material, can be achieved within a range of realistic parameters.