LATEST CAR NEWS - In internal combustion engines both gasoline and diesel fuel that is burned not only generate power but also heat engines. In ordinary vehicles, most of the wasted heat. While this heat energy can be utilized.
Prototype thermoelectric BSST try them on a BMW and Ford, while GM apply to SUVs. Both will have tested thermoelectric generator devices on the highway in the late summer of this year.
Researchers at the GM was giving final touches on the prototype by using a thermoelectric new class called 'skutterudites'. This unit looks promising thanks to the low cost of production of material consisting of cobalt arsenide compounds and rare elements such as ytterbium which showed better performance at higher temperatures.
So far, computer models show that the tests on the Chevrolet Suburban produces power of 350 watts that can be used to improve fuel efficiency as much as 3%.
The biggest problem is finding a balance to create the electrical contacts and good heat. To generate electricity, thermoelectric devices require high temperature gradient by utilizing two contradictory material. At the same time, these differences create many barriers for contacts to heat and destroy the entire system.
This is where researchers BSST play a role. Currently BSST are investigating material
Other than using a combination of thermoelectric hafnium and zirconium which seems to function well at high temperatures and increase the efficiency of the generator until it reaches the range of 40%
