X-Message-Number: 24225
From: 
Date: Fri, 11 Jun 2004 10:04:24 EDT
Subject: thermopiles

Many years ago I expected we would eventually utilize thermopiles as  primary 
energy sources. For a cryonics organization it could have the  special 

advantages of independence and nearly maintenance-free operation at  close to 
zero 
cost after installation.
 
For newcomers, thermopiles are stacks or cascades of Seebeck effect  modules, 
utilizing temperature differences to produce voltages. Like a  thermocouple, 
or like a heat pump in reverse. (Reverse of the Peltier effect. In  Arizona 

today, heat pumps are used in many homes, maybe even most, for both  heating and
cooling.)
 
Capital cost is still non-competitive for most applications, but this will  

eventually change, and possibly fairly soon if new semiconductors are developed
 that enhance efficiency. 
 
The heat source/sink could be almost anything. One type would  just have one 
end underground and the other above (and exposed to  sunlight when desired). 

No moving parts, no replacement--just keep the exposed  surface (if any) clean.
Free energy, after the capital cost. Zero pollution  too.
 
Eventually, of course, large commercial installations (in some cases using  
geothermal heat sources) might make small, private installations  

non-competitive for most purposes, but the independence and zero cost per KWH  
would be a 
strong attraction for a cryonics organization.
 
Robert Ettinger


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