Thermoelectricity has been studied for several centuries, and the potential of controlling this phenomenon to generate usable electricity has been investigated for decades. Recently, a team of scientists has made a major breakthrough in understanding how to control thermoelectricity by introducing impurities into the material.

This work, recently published in Nature Physics, demonstrates how controlling the position of impurities can significantly enhance the thermoelectric efficiency of materials. By strategically placing impurities in the material, the team was able to create a thermoelectric device that produced a record-breaking efficiency of 40%.

This breakthrough could be the key to providing a more efficient and cost-effective way to generate electricity from waste heat. By controlling the position of impurities, this new thermoelectric material can convert low-grade waste heat into electricity with unprecedented efficiency. This could potentially revolutionize the way we generate electricity from renewable sources, making thermoelectricity a viable and cost-effective solution for energy production.

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source: Phys.org