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/sci/ - Science & Math

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3270540 No.3270540 [Reply] [Original]

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-06/new-alloy-can-convert-heat-directly-electricity

>A new alloy with unique properties can convert heat directly into electricity, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota

So how exactly is this possible re: entropy? It's obviously not a closed system, but still...

>> No.3270554

>>3270540
>It's obviously not a closed system

That's the only reason it would work. It's the same way a stirling engine works.

>> No.3270559

>When the warmed alloy is placed near a permanent magnet, like a rare-earth magnet, the alloy’s magnetic force increases suddenly and dramatically. This produces a current in a surrounding coil

>changing magnetic field creates a current in a coil?
No fucking way! L2 first year physics.

Read the article OP. What is amazing here is its magnetism changes with temperature.

>> No.3270564

lol
termocouples already exist
this new alloy probably does it a bit better...
nothing new under the sun....

>> No.3270565

The thing only generates electricity when you change its temperature. You'd do this by letting it take heat from an object at a higher temperature, and then release heat to an object at a lower temperature. This is just like any other heat engine.

>> No.3270592

>>3270565
Well, it functions like a heat engine, but its not exactly the same as any other heat engine.

I personally find this rather fascinating and cannot wait to see what sort of applications people figure out for this.

>> No.3270606

It's just a variation on a theme.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermocouple

Except in alloy form.

>> No.3270635

A change in temp can be used to generate power? wow, thats just the bases of every power generating device we have ever developed. this looks like just a thermocouple.

>> No.3270653

>>3270564 samefag
just read the article
it's not a termocouple
it uses an alloy that can be magnetized when heated and near a magnet
so that the formation of the new magnetic field induces current in a wire nearby

but once heated/magnetized the magnetic field doesn't change so the induction stops..
so whats the fuzz about it?

>> No.3270666

>>3270653
They might figure out some neat things to do with it. When the transistor was first discovered they probably never thought we'd be doing all this crazy shit.

>> No.3270691

>1, develop alloy
>2. attach to volcanoes or thermal vents
>3.????
>4. profit!

>> No.3270704

>>3270666
piezo crystals do a similar job with pressure
and there are already thermistors
but i hope that i'm not thinking hard enough right now and there are some really useful ways to use that alloy

>> No.3270707

>>3270691
Sweet, this is the stuff they'll build geothermal pistons out of.

Into the lava, out of the lava.