Xref: utzoo comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc:4953 sci.electronics:16444
Path: utzoo!mnetor!tmsoft!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!optilink!cramer
From: cramer@optilink.UUCP (Clayton Cramer)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Peltier effect device
Keywords: cooling
Message-ID: <5070@optilink.UUCP>
Date: 22 Dec 90 00:11:35 GMT
References: <1990Dec14.213730.10078@spool.cs.wisc.edu>
Organization: Optilink Corporation, Petaluma, CA
Lines: 28

In article <1990Dec14.213730.10078@spool.cs.wisc.edu>, peng@chaource.cs.wisc.edu (PENG) writes:
> I hope this has not been asked before.  On the December issue of Byte (p.132),
> there is a short article on an interesting cooling device, which can be
> mounted on a CPU and is able to cool the chip down to 0 degree centigrade.
> This device, according to Byte, is a Peltier effect device, which is
> "a thermoelectric cooling system based on the principle that passing a current
> between two physically connected, dissimilar materials produces cooling on one
> side and heat on the other."  I am not quite sure if I know what this
> sentense is talking about.  Can someone knowledgeable elaborate this a little
> bit?
> 
> -peng

A Peltier effect device is essentially a thermocouple run backwards.
(A thermocouple involves heating two dissimilar metals, and getting
electron flow -- and therefore electricity -- from one metal to the
other.  Such devices are used in places where simplicity and reliability
are more important than efficiency -- say a spacecraft).

I can visualize the process by which heat causes electron flow from
one metal to another (since different metals have different electro-
negativities) -- for some reason, I can't picture how electron
flow causes cold.
-- 
Clayton E. Cramer {pyramid,pixar,tekbspa}!optilink!cramer
Self-defense is the most basic of human rights.  Lacking the right to defend
yourself today can make it very hard to exercise any other rights tomorrow.
You must be kidding!  No company would hold opinions like mine!