Preface

Electrical energy consumption is negatively affecting our environment and contributing to climate change. Therefore the research and industrial communities are working hard to minimize energy consumption using promising energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies. We know that it is possible to convert heat energy into electrical energy using thermoelectric devices; this heat energy can be from the sun or from an electro-mechanical device. However, thermoelectric devices traditionally suffer from lower efficiencies of energy conversion. This book, *Advanced Thermoelectric Materials for Energy Harvesting Applications*, is a researchintensive textbook consisting of eight chapters organized into three sections. Section 1 consists of Chapters 2, 3, and 4, which cover advanced thermoelectric materials and the topics of organic/inorganic thermoelectric materials, quantum theory of the Seebeck coefficient for the advancement of thermoelectric superconducting material, and the limits of Bismuth Telluride-based thermoelectric materials. Section 2, containing Chapters 5 and 6, evaluates behaviors and performance of thermoelectric devices. Section 3, containing Chapters 7 and 8, focuses on energy harvesting applications of thermoelectric devices. This book will be of interest to a wide range of individuals, such as scientists, engineers, researchers, and undergraduate and postgraduate students in the field of advanced thermoelectric materials.

I wish to thank all the authors for their contributions to this volume. I would like to express my appreciation to Ms. Ivana Barac of IntechOpen for her consistent support in publishing this book. And last but not least, I express great thanks to my family for their continuing support, motivation, and prayers.

**II**

**Chapter 8 109**

Harnessing the Automotive Waste Heat with Thermoelectric Modules Using

Maximum Power Point Tracking Method

*by Dario Gandini, Marcello Chiaberge and Andrea Nepote*

## **Dr. Saim Memon PhD, MSc, BEng(Hons), PGC-TQFE, CEng, FHEA** Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Course Director HND Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Centre for Advanced Materials, Division of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, London South Bank University, United Kingdom

**1**

Section 1

Advanced Thermoelectric

Materials
