Negative Energy Consumption of Thermostats at Ambient Temperature: Electricity Generation with Zero Energy Maintenance

Abstract

Thermal maintenance costs 15% of global energy. The concept of an "energy-free thermostat" was accordingly proposed to change environmental temperature gradients, which can maintain a certain space at constant temperature without the need to consume additional energy according to a temperature-trapping theory [Shen et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 055501 (2016)]. Here we develop the theory by introducing thermoelectric effects, and we then propose a "negative-energy thermostat" that generates electricity associated with energy-free maintenance of a constant ambient temperature. The thermostat further helps to design a different thermoelectric cloak: for changing ambient temperature gradients, its central region has an approximately constant temperature and potential while simultaneously generating thermoelectromotive forces. Our finite-element simulations confirm the effects predicted by the theory developed, and we also discuss the possibility of experimental demonstration with natural materials. This work not only has relevance for expanding the temperature-trapping theory by achieving thermoelectric conversion synergistically but also offers a different method to manipulate coupled fields in electrothermotics; it also gives hints on how to control other coupled fields in photothermotics, photoelectrics, electromagnetics, thermomagnetics, and thermomechanics.

Designing nonlinear thermal devices and metamaterials under the Fourier law: A route to nonlinear thermotics

“…In addition, Wang et al [152] considered the case when Type-A and Type-B are thermoelectric material. Since the middle region has a large thermal conductivity, the temperature difference would mainly exit in Type-A and Type-B and be can be utilized to generate thermovoltages.…”

Thermal Metamaterial: Fundamental, Application, and Outlook

“…They also put forward a feasible experimental scheme by multilayer composites, which was verified by simulation results. In 2019, Wang et al proposed a bilayer design for controlling coupled thermoelectric fields (Wang et al, 2019). In fact, thermal convection can be treated as a bifield process of heat and mass transfer.…”

“…Furthermore, by combining nonlinear transformation theory and multi-physics/function design, some more attractive manipulation can be realized. For example, Wang et al designed a thermoelectric thermostat cloak with a bilayer structure (Wang et al, 2019). Jiang et al manufactured a multi-physics bifunction device with shape memory alloys (SMAs) (Jiang et al, 2019).…”

“…In 2019, Wang et al. proposed a bilayer design for controlling coupled thermoelectric fields ( Wang et al., 2019 ). In fact, thermal convection can be treated as a bifield process of heat and mass transfer.…”

“…For example, Wang et al. designed a thermoelectric thermostat cloak with a bilayer structure ( Wang et al., 2019 ). Jiang et al.…”