Recently, Researchers from the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, have developed a new low-cost electrical contact material for thermoelectric devices that is stable at high temperature. 

• The thermoelectric material can generate electricity by using a temperature difference between its two sides. The thermoelectric device can also function as a small heat pump, moving heat from one side of the device to the other. 

• Thermoelectric materials convert thermal energy directly into electricity through a process that involves a solid-state electron and phonon diffusion process. 

Source : All India Radio