Heat Engines
What are heat engines? A heat engine is a device that converts kinetic energy from heat into mechanical or electrical energy.
(GIF created by team member)
Peltier Cooler
Discovered in 1821, the Seebeck effect describes a current flow between two different metals held at different temperatures. A Peltier Cooler is a device that amplifies this effect using heavily doped semiconductors. In the picture above, one side of the cooler is held in ice water and the other in boiling water. |
(GIF created by team member)
Stirling Heat Engine
Discovered in 1816 by Robert Stirling, this piston driven heat engine operates by expanding and cooling air. Below the engine is a cup of boiling water and a piece of ice is placed on the top, providing the temperature difference. |
The maximum efficiency of any heat engine is calculated from the temperature of the hot and cold reservoirs, as an example the human body varies by approximately 3k, making the cold reservoir 307K and the hot reservoir 310K, which would yield an efficiency of 1%.