How Does Heat Transform into Current in Electric Devices?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the mechanism by which heat is transformed into electrical current in electric devices, specifically through the interaction of electric (E) and magnetic (B) fields in a copper solenoid. The presence of a negatively charged dielectric rod and a positively charged dielectric creates a radial E field, while magnets positioned at both ends of the coil generate an axial B field. This configuration causes the random motion of electrons within the coil to align in a preferred direction, effectively converting thermal energy into useful electrical work. The process is cyclical, as the load on the coil converts the ordered electron flow back into heat, which is then absorbed from the environment.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic fields (E and B fields)
  • Knowledge of electron behavior in conductive materials
  • Familiarity with thermodynamic principles related to heat and energy conversion
  • Basic concepts of electric circuits and loads
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the principles of electromagnetic induction and its applications
  • Study the behavior of electrons in conductive materials under varying thermal conditions
  • Research thermoelectric materials and their efficiency in converting heat to electricity
  • Learn about the design and optimization of electric circuits for energy conversion
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Electrical engineers, physicists, and researchers interested in energy conversion technologies, particularly those focusing on thermoelectric devices and electromagnetic applications.

cala
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Hi all.

Imagine one negative charged dielectric rod into a copper solenoid, and rounded coaxially by another positive charged dielectric. Then we have an E field radially directed passing through the coil.

Now put one magnet on top of the coil and another magnet at the bottom of the coil, so we have a B field axially directed passing through the coil.

The copper coil has electrons inside, and these electrons are not static ones, they have random movements due to ambient heat.

Now, by virtue of the crossed B and E fields, these electrons will tend to flow with a preferred direction on the coil.

The E and B fields doesn't increase nor decrease the kinetic energy of the electrons of the coil, but changes direction in a perpendicular force fashion, so no work is added or needed. The resultant effect is "focusing" the random kinetic energy of the electrons to flow on a preferred direction, so we can add all the randomly directed kinetic energy into one preferred direction, and thus a useful kinetic energy appear from zero kinetic energy net resultant.

Now, if we put a load on the coil ends, the electrons will flow. The load will convert the ordered flow of electrons into random kinetic movements, so power is dissipated again as heat.

Then, the heat of the environment will go again into the device, because the ordenation of the electrons by E and B fields convert "heat" random movements of the electrons of the coil into kinetic useful work, so the coil goes cold...

So there are an electric cycle and a heat cycle.

The device transforms heat into current, (then the device goes cold), and then the load transforms current into heat, and finally the device takes that ambient heat.

What's the problem with that?
 
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The physical principle of the device is well known.
Take a look to this page:

www3.ltu.edu/~s_schneider/physlets/main/cross_eb.shtml[/URL]
(if it doesn't work, type:www3.ltu.edu/~s_schneider/physlets/main/cross_eb.shtml)

you can play with the values, and realyze that it doesn't matter the initial direction of the charges, they finally follow the same direction (so finally, in a properly designed device, charges could create a current or voltage).

This page talks about the same. I think i have posted it before, but take a look:

[url]www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/9222/ele.htm[/url]
 
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