Kuz' R. Eddy Zone-inhomogeneous thermoelement

Thesis for a degree of candidate of physical and mathematical sciences in the specialty 01.04.01 - physics of devices, elements and systems. - Institute of Thermoelectricity of the National Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Educa-tion and Science of Ukraine, Chernivtsi. 2007. The thesis deals with establishment of the influence of eddy thermoelectric currents, Joule, Peltier and Thomson effects in zone-inhomogeneous ther-moelement on characteristics thereof; optimization of this influence in order to improve the efficiency, power output and reliability; establishment of design peculiarities of zone-inhomogeneous thermoelements when employed in ther-moelectric power converters. The elaborated theory of zone-inhomogeneous thermoelement is of theo-retical importance, provides a deeper insight into physical processes occurring in zone-inhomogeneous medium and is a theoretical basis for the development of object-oriented computer technologies for modelling and optimization of thermoelectric devices of inhomogeneous materials, among them functionally-graded and composite. The results of development of computer technologies for modelling and op-timization of zone-inhomogeneous thermoelements are of practical importance and serve the basis for selecting materials and design of zone-inhomogeneous thermoelements, thermoelectric devices and systems on their basis. Key words: Thermoelectricity, eddy thermoelements, optimization.