Chapter 16
Magnetic Fluids for Thermoelectricity
Sawako Nakamae
Abstract The unique properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) and their interactions with their environment have given rise to innovative R&D possibilities outside
the field of conventional magnetism. One such example is in the field of energy
science, and in particular, the thermal engineering. In this respect, research on refrigeration technology based on the magnetoconvection property of ferrofluids (FF) has
attracted great attention in the past decades. On the other hand, the thermoelectric
energy conversion (or more commonly known as “thermopower”) in ferrofluids has
so far remained underexplored. This subchapter describes this very new research
path in the field of magnetic nanoparticle science, from its theoretical background
and motivation, a few existing example of experimental investigations and the future
perspectives. The unique properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) and their interactions with their environment have given rise to innovative R&D possibilities outside
the field of conventional magnetism. One such example is in the field of energy
science, and in particular, the thermal engineering. In this respect, research on refrigeration technology based on the magnetoconvection property of ferrofluids (FF) has
attracted great attention in the past decades. On the other hand, the thermoelectric
energy conversion (or more commonly known as “thermopower”) in ferrofluids has
so far remained underexplored. This subchapter describes this very new research
path in the field of magnetic nanoparticle science, from its theoretical background
and motivation, a few existing example of experimental investigations and the future
perspectives.
16.1 Introduction
Thermoelectric (TE) materials are capable of directly converting thermal energy
to electricity. As such, they can offer a possible solution for low-grade waste heat
S. Nakamae (B)
Service de Physique de L’état Condensé, SPEC, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA
Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette CEDEX, France
e-mail: sawako.nakamae@cea.fr
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
D. Peddis et al. (eds.), New Trends in Nanoparticle Magnetism,
Springer Series in Materials Science 308,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60473-8_16
381
Magnetic Fluids for Thermoelectricity
Sawako Nakamae
Abstract The unique properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) and their interactions with their environment have given rise to innovative R&D possibilities outside
the field of conventional magnetism. One such example is in the field of energy
science, and in particular, the thermal engineering. In this respect, research on refrigeration technology based on the magnetoconvection property of ferrofluids (FF) has
attracted great attention in the past decades. On the other hand, the thermoelectric
energy conversion (or more commonly known as “thermopower”) in ferrofluids has
so far remained underexplored. This subchapter describes this very new research
path in the field of magnetic nanoparticle science, from its theoretical background
and motivation, a few existing example of experimental investigations and the future
perspectives. The unique properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) and their interactions with their environment have given rise to innovative R&D possibilities outside
the field of conventional magnetism. One such example is in the field of energy
science, and in particular, the thermal engineering. In this respect, research on refrigeration technology based on the magnetoconvection property of ferrofluids (FF) has
attracted great attention in the past decades. On the other hand, the thermoelectric
energy conversion (or more commonly known as “thermopower”) in ferrofluids has
so far remained underexplored. This subchapter describes this very new research
path in the field of magnetic nanoparticle science, from its theoretical background
and motivation, a few existing example of experimental investigations and the future
perspectives.
16.1 Introduction
Thermoelectric (TE) materials are capable of directly converting thermal energy
to electricity. As such, they can offer a possible solution for low-grade waste heat
S. Nakamae (B)
Service de Physique de L’état Condensé, SPEC, CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA
Saclay, 91191 Gif sur Yvette CEDEX, France
e-mail: sawako.nakamae@cea.fr
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
D. Peddis et al. (eds.), New Trends in Nanoparticle Magnetism,
Springer Series in Materials Science 308,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60473-8_16
381