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Explore thermoelectric theory and applications through a comprehensive five-week course that employs a unique "bottom-up" approach to carrier transport derived from molecular and nanoscale electronics research. Begin with fundamental concepts using the Landauer formalism to understand the Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson effects, along with novel perspectives on the Hall effect and heat current in one-level devices. Progress through thermoelectric transport parameters by examining the Landauer-Boltzmann approach, transport coefficients, and various materials including novel structures, while covering lattice thermal conductivity and the Boltzmann transport equation with full band dispersions. Advance to nano and macroscale characterization techniques, focusing on temperature measurement methods, thermoreflectance, and thin film characterization using laser-based approaches. Study thermoelectric systems including cooling and power generation applications, cost-efficiency trade-offs, microrefrigerators on chips, graded materials, leg geometry impacts, and ballistic coolers with non-linear Peltier effects. Conclude with recent advances in the field, comparing thermionics versus thermoelectrics, examining semiconductors with embedded nanoparticles, state-of-the-art materials like skutterudites and oxide thermoelectrics, and exploring ideal thermoelectrics through Carnot versus Curzon-Ahlborn perspectives.
