X-Message-Number: 2088
Newsgroups: sci.cryonics
From:  (Marvin Minsky)
Subject: Re: Thermoelectric Blues
Message-ID: <>

References: <> 
<>
Date: Thu, 8 Apr 1993 17:00:51 GMT

Before pursuing this further, can anyone state clearly what is the
efficiency of an anti-peltier device operating at -80 C to some lower
temperature?  My impression was that the efficiency of such devices
are or the order of a mere couple of percent at room temperature.  The
entropy cost, dQ/T increases as T decreases, so you have to think of
multiplying that efficiency (or is it even worse at lower
temperatures) by this factor as well, because the counter-junction has
to be refrigerated down to the base -80 C temperature. We can't assess
the practicality of solid state cooling without having this critical
number in hand!

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