PV Gap

Dora Said:

How can heat be converted directly into electricity ?

We Answered:

Heat can be compared to magnetism or gravity. You need the movement or change of heat energy to generate electricity, just like you need movement or change of a magnetic field to generate electricity.

You can generate electricity from DIFFERENCES in heat energy levels (Seebeck effect)


If you're looking for a non-mechanical device, check out a Peltier junction. This is an array of dissimilar metals (thermocouples) that will generate electricity as heat energy moves through it. It is also a reciprocating device, meaning that if you put an electrical current through it, one side will get hot, and the other cool. It is the technology used in portable electric travel coolers that you see these days.