PUBLIC LECTURE: ALL WELCOME
THE FUTURE OF THERMOELECTRIC REFRIGERATION
by Emeritus Professor Julian Goldsmid
Honorary Research Associate, University of Tasmania
8:00 PM Wednesday 24th May 2000
Physics Building Lecture Theatre 2
University of Tasmania, Hobart
ABSTRACT: The Peltier effect was discovered in 1834 but it was not until 120 years later that refrigeration using thermocouples became practicable. This was due to the discovery of the remarkable properties of a semi-conducting compound, bismuth telluride. The principles of thermoelectric cooling will be explained and the reasons for the advances in the 1950's will be outlined. It may seem surprising that, even now, the Peltier technique is used almost exclusively for the cooling of instruments and electronic equipment. The efficiency is not quite good enough for thermoelectric refrigerators to replace conventional units in typical domestic and commercial equipment. It so happens, however, that, at the turn of the century, the long awaited breakthrough in performance has become a distinct possibility. It is possible that this breakthrough will come about through the discovery of a new thermoelectric material but equally likely is the development of a one- or two-dimensional system with outstanding properties. Also, there is a chance that so-called vacuum thermoelements might be the answer. These new lines of research will be discussed.
SPEAKER PROFILE: The speaker worked for a number of years at the Research Laboratories of the General Electric Co. Ltd. in London, where he discovered the materials that still form the basis of thermoelectric refrigeration. In 1964 he became Reader in Solid State Physics at the University of Bath. Then, in 1969, he was appointed Professor of Experimental Physics at the University of New South Wales. After his retirement, he became Chairman of the National Standards Commission until his move to Tasmania 3 years ago. He is now engaged on the search for new and improved thermoelectric materials, working in collaboration with a group at Marlow Industries Inc. in Dallas, Texas. Professor Goldsmid was awarded the Doctor of Science degree by the University of London in 1966. He has been a recipient of the Lightfoot Medal of the Institute of Refrigeration and recently became the first Honorary Academician of the International Thermoelectric Academy. His eighth book is about to be published.
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