Direct conversion of thermal energy to electric energy by means of ferroelectric materials

Abstract An experimental device to test energy conversion of thermal to electric energy by means of ferroelectric materials has been used to investigate thin plates of PZT ceramics (near the Flt -Fht transition temperature) and TGS-alanine single crystals (near the Curie temperature). Preliminary results for PZT plates give efficiencies of the order of 2.5 10−-3 the Carnot efficiency and specific power outputs equivalent to 165 watts/m3.