Magnetics for Thermoelectric Enhancement
Yixuan Hu, Shulin Bai, Bingchao Qin, Li‐Dong Zhao
Abstract
Thermoelectrics (TEs) possess the ability to directly convert heat into electricity and vice versa, making them highly promising for applications in power generation and solid-state cooling. Optimizing the transport properties is crucial for TE technology, in which magnetism has provided a new degree of freedom in decoupling electron and phonon transports. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in magnetics-induced enhancement for both longitudinal and transverse TE systems. Initially, two key optimization strategies for longitudinal TE power generation are explored: enhancing non-magnetic TE performance in intrinsic magnetic materials and optimizing magnetic TE performance by utilizing extrinsic magnetism-induced effects. Following this, the mechanism by which external magnetic fields enhance transverse TE conversion is explained in detail. Moreover, we discuss in depth how magnetism influences the electron and phonon transports from a physical perspective. Finally, the promising applications of magnetics-induced TE technology in both power generation and solid-state cooling are discussed, with some key challenges being proposed.