THERMOELECTRIC GENERATION
Thermoelectric generation is the generation of electrical power directly from heat energy. It is a robust, solid state technology requiring no moving parts. To date, thermoelectric generation has not seen widespread deployment because of the long time periods required to recapture the capital cost. TXL Group is developing high efficiency thermoelectric devices that will reduce the payback times. Coupled with today's escalating energy prices, this allows the recapture of installation costs in shorter timeframes, after which, electricity that is generated from waste heat is free.

The reason that thermoelectric generators are seldom used is that they are inefficient relative to alternative technologies. The major loss components for TE devices are Joule heating and the thermal energy that makes its way entirely through the thermoelement without conversion into electricity. Efficiency is a function of many variables including ambient temperature, hot side temperature, chemistry and geometry. Even with low efficiency, a thermoelectric generator that is operating upon otherwise discarded heat energy has value since it is producing electricity without requiring a consumable. This leads TXL Group to an interest in applications for thermoelectric generation in industrial smokestacks, cooling towers and even roadway applications. A side benefit of TE generation is that heat energy that is converted to electrical energy is no longer "heat" (but electricity), so thermoelectric generation serves to reduce the amount of waste heat that is released into the environment.

Thermoelectric materials may be constructed as bulk structure or nanostructure. Bulk fabrication techniques include melt and powder compaction. For bulk materials, changes that are made in chemistry or crystalline structure that will influence the three key parameters (Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity) in a positive way are often offset by changes in another of the key parameters in a negative way --- the parameters are tightly intercoupled.

In contrast, device fabrication on the nano scale alters the relationships between the various thermoelectric parameters, enabling another variable for optimization that has not previously been available. The characteristic Z of the device is greatly enhanced, resulting in high efficiency and greatly improved performance.

TXL's approach uses nanotechnology to engineer structures with a very small feature size, typically less than 10 nanometers. TXL Group will release pilot deployments of practical thermoelectric devices later this year. Specific details on the Company's technology are proprietary and closely held at present, but may be provided to prospective collaborators under a nondisclosure agreement.

TXL Group welcomes inquiries on teaming, joint venturing and other partnership vehicles.

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