Week Three

            During the third week of our project’s progression, we conducted tests to prove the overall concept of thermoelectric conductivity for our electronic purposes.  The tests were conducted using three different kinds of metals in order to determine their different thermoelectric conductivity properties.  We purchased three different metals: copper, aluminum, and nichrome, or nickel chromium.  The materials, for the purposes of this project, were needed in the form of sheets.  The aluminum and copper were purchased in sheets, however the nichrome was only readily available in the form of wire, so this wire was bent into a lattice.

The materials (nichrome wire, copper plate, and aluminum plate) assembled atop a festive tablecloth.

            The different metals were integrated into a simple current so that a voltmeter could be used to measure the thermoelectric effect usable for the project’s application.  The materials were then heated with a heat gun, and a current was successful generated in each.  The results of the testing are found in the excel file. 

The setup for testing the materials as possible thermoelectric cell components.

            The tests resulted in a proof of the thermoelectric properties of the simple metals.  The metals generated a very small voltage, proving their ability to transform heat into electric current.  However, the voltage was too small to be useful for electronic integration.  Therefore, the tests resulted in the conclusion that a sheet of metal will be insufficient for the project purposes.  The next endeavor that will be pursued is the investigation of more complex thermoelectric cells.