Abstract: A frozen substance maker may include a heat pump, a cold plate, a mold base, a mold top, and an agitator. The cold plate may be in thermal communication with the heat pump. The mold base may be positioned o the cold plate. The mold base and the cold plate may define a seed crystal chamber. The mold top may be positioned on the mold base. The mold base and the mold top may define a mold cavity in fluid communication with the seed crystal chamber. The mold top may define an overflow reservoir in fluid communication with the mold chamber. The agitator may be located at least partially within the overflow reservoir.

Abstract: A frozen substance maker includes a heat pump, a cold plate, a mold base, a mold top, and an agitator. The cold plate is in thermal communication with the heat pump. The mold base is positioned on the cold plate. The mold base and the cold plate define a seed crystal chamber. The mold top is positioned on the mold base. The mold base and the mold top define a mold cavity in fluid communication with the seed crystal chamber. The mold top defines an overflow reservoir in fluid communication with the mold chamber. The agitator is located at least partially within the overflow reservoir.

Abstract: The disclosure includes an apparatus and a method for forming a frozen substance using directional freezing. The apparatus includes a mold and a directional freezing assembly. The mold is structured with an interior chamber structured to contain a liquid substance. The directional freezing assembly includes a directional freezing probe and a cold plate. The directional freezing probe extends into the interior chamber of the mold and initiates directional freezing of the liquid substance surrounding the directional freezing probe. The cold plate is connected to the directional freezing probe outside of the mold and dissipates heat drawn from the directional freezing probe to a surrounding environment.

Abstract: A frozen substance maker may include a heat pump, a cold plate, a mold base, a mold top, and an agitator. The cold plate may be in thermal communication with the heat pump. The mold base may be positioned on the cold plate. The mold base and the cold plate may define a seed crystal chamber. The mold top may be positioned on the mold base. The mold base and the mold top may define a mold cavity in fluid communication with the seed crystal chamber. The mold top may define an overflow reservoir in fluid communication with the mold chamber. The agitator may be located at least partially within the overflow reservoir.

Abstract: The disclosure includes an apparatus and a method for forming a frozen substance using directional freezing. The apparatus includes a mold and a directional freezing assembly. The mold is structured with an interior chamber structured to contain a liquid substance. The directional freezing assembly includes a directional freezing probe and a cold plate. The directional freezing probe extends into the interior chamber of the mold and initiates directional freezing of the liquid substance surrounding the directional freezing probe. The cold plate is connected to the directional freezing probe outside of the mold and dissipates heat drawn from the directional freezing probe to a surrounding environment.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device is provided that includes a top plate with surface including a first and second portion. A first plurality of thermoelectric elements are coupled to the first portion, and a second plurality of thermoelectric elements are coupled to the second portion. A base plate is coupled to the first and second plurality of thermoelectric elements. The first and second plurality of thermoelectric elements are operable to transfer thermal energy from the top plate to the base plate when an electrical current is passed through the first and second plurality of thermoelectric elements. The second plurality of thermoelectric elements receives a higher electrical current density than the first plurality of thermoelectric elements, and the second plurality of thermoelectric elements transfer more thermal energy per unit area of the top plate than the first plurality of thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a thermoelectric device is disclosed. The method includes forming a wafer of thermoelectric material and coupling the wafer to a stiff backing such that a bottom side of the wafer faces the stiff backing and a top side of the wafer faces away from the stiff backing. The method also includes reducing a thickness of the wafer by removing a portion of the wafer from the top side, and dicing the wafer into a plurality of blocks. At least a portion of the plurality of blocks are then coupled with a permanent substrate.