Electricity from Heat: The Seebeck Effect in Action

Generating electricity from heat without any moving parts sounds like science fiction - yet it's possible! Traditionally, the heat to electricity conversion is done with things like steam turbines and other mechanical systems. But by applying the Seebeck effect, we can directly convert a temperature difference to electricity. In this video, we go over what the Seebeck effect is, how it can be used, and then demonstrate using it to power a small circuit.

Sections:
0:00 - Introduction
0:11 - Electrici-tea generation
1:03 - Seebeck effect explained
2:03 - Thermoelectric generators
2:48 - The importance of heatsinks
3:20 - Demo: Circuit overview
3:54 - Demo: Assembly
5:54 - Demo: Trying it out
7:12 - Discussion on real-world uses
7:59 - Conclusion

Parts:
LED - LTL2R3KRD-EM
TEC - Hebei TEC1-12706

Context:
I made this video to explain the Seebeck effect to students in the 6-8th grades (US grading system). As a result, some terms have been simplified based on the expected prior knowledge of the students. For example, "heat" in physics refers specifically to energy in transfer, but in the presentation, it is used in the more colloquial sense.

Special thanks to Keysight Technologies for loaning the oscilloscope used in this video! The views I express and materials included in the video are my own and not those of Keysight.

Other Credits:
Cricket Lighter isolated: Anton Zelenov , CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

[zaincazorla]

Thank you, I had an assignment regarding thermoelectric generators and your video helped me a lot. I also cited your video in the references.

[mysticjaarse]

Very neat tutorial. Now this Seebeck effect got my brain fired up. Just need to think of heat and cold... to make more electricity. Thank you!

[leideedileonardo]

Very nice explanation, simple, linear, clear: well done! Would you add some figures, like what is the efficiency of this system, how many millivolt per centigrade difference?

[cringehooman]

Thanks! I WAS NOT ABLE TO UNDERSTAND
BUT YOU MADE ME UNDERSTAND IN A VERY SIMPLE WAY 😀

[olgamorozova]

What a video!!! 10/10, Thank you, Caleb!

[KF-qjrn]

didn't realize they could power the whole spacecraft, how cool
I just want a massive one on my furnace, fireplace, stove, or etc....I wonder what the potential max output could be with current tech...

[Layarion]

5:35 it looks like you should clean that heatsink off a tad, and lay something on top of the TEG to apply pressure.

[tishaqaisara]

thank you for this video, now i can finally wrap my head around how TEG works!

[catherinehebson]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE. very useful video

[mikeraphone]

Thank you. I now understand the meaning of life. Very well done 👍

[userbinary]

This man has balls for cutting wires so easily like that

[TRVSH-]

Thanks for sharing, nice set up and presentation ❤

[electronicsdoctor]

Nice Video Thanks Bro - From Sri Lanka

[hopolo]

wonderful video. i appreciate you going all out for this.

[celiogouvea]

Can you make a closed circuit using a magnet gun and diodes as a current electric booster using a battery to ignite the current in circles with a coil around a cylindrical metal to create a perpetual current motion that uses a led to replace the battery in the same coil that consumes less energy we applied to ignite the current or that won't work?

[shrutiverma]

very nice demonstration and fun video...thanks

[jeffcampsall]

Great video... 2 things :
1) I'm missing how current flows threw the TEG
2) It's unfortunate that the Seebek Effect is unminded by using a Pelltier device (TEC in reverse)

[aerithscrush]

Important .... clear explanation.thank you❤️👍

[Mayankk]

Many tropical countries have hot air flowing in winter n summers. Thinking how to use this hot air to generate electricity.

[ringerdiggsycobbsy]

What is 10 how many volts each one produces or how many watts so I can put a bigger electric motor on stove fan for instance how many would I need for a 12 volt motor