Thermoelectric materials and applications in buildings

Abstract

Thermoelectric materials are functional materials that utilize the movements of charge carriers to achieve the direct interconversions between heat and electricity. Recently, high-performance thermoelectric materials and multifunctional devices have witnessed explosive progresses to alleviate energy burdens. As the energy consumption in buildings continues to increase, the integration of thermoelectric materials with buildings provides a promising solution to improve the energy utilization efficiency. However, despite the rapid progress in thermoelectric technology, there remains a scarcity of comprehensive reviews and systematic assessments focused on the integration and applications of thermoelectric materials in building environments. This timely paper provides a thorough introduction to the research landscape, encompassing applications of thermoelectric materials, a brief historical overview of building technologies, and recent research trends in thermoelectric materials pertinent to buildings. We systematically elucidate the principles of thermoelectric materials and outlines the specific properties required for their application across various building components. Following this, the focus is on representative thermoelectric materials across four critical domains: energy harvesting, building cooling, temperature monitoring, and corrosion prevention. The discussion is structured according to the positioning and functional roles of devices integrated within buildings. Finally, we summarize the key findings and underscore the challenges and the future prospects for thermoelectric materials and devices in building applications.