Abstract: Thermoelectric enhanced hybrid heat pump systems are provided herein. A compressor increases the pressure of refrigerant within tubing. A first heat exchanger is downstream of the compressor and changes enthalpy of first fluid flow through heat exchange with refrigerant. A second heat exchanger changes enthalpy of second fluid flow through heat exchange with refrigerant. A thermoelectric device is downstream of the first heat exchanger and reduces refrigerant temperature. Expansion valves are downstream of the thermoelectric device and first heat exchanger, respectively located on first and second sides of the thermoelectric device, and expand refrigerant and reduce refrigerant pressure while conserving refrigerant enthalpy. At least one valve reverses refrigerant flow within the tubing without changing compressor operation. A control system controls the thermoelectric device and at least one valve to switch the heat pump system from heating mode to cooling mode and from cooling mode to heating mode.

Abstract: Provided herein is a thermoelectric element that includes a cold end, a hot end, and a p-type or n-type material having a length between the hot end and the cold end. The p-type or n-type material has an intrinsic Seebeck coefficient (S), an electrical resistivity (?), and a thermal conductivity (?). Each of two or more of S, ?, and ? generally increases along the length from the cold end to the hot end. The thermoelectric element may be provided in single-stage thermoelectric devices providing enhanced maximum temperature differences. The single-stage thermoelectric devices maybe combined with one another to provide multi-stage thermoelectric devices with even further enhanced maximum temperature differences.

Abstract: Temperature controlled systems include at least one temperature controlled chamber or package for accommodating temperature-sensitive content. The system includes at least one solid state heat pump in thermal communication with the temperature controlled chamber or package. The system may include a thermal energy storage system in thermal communication with the solid state heat pump, an electrical energy source or an electrical storage system for providing electrical power to the at least one solid state heat pump, an electrical control/energy management system, and/or an input/output feature. The system maintains the temperature controlled chamber at a control temperature, and/or maintains different chambers at different control temperatures.

Abstract: Provided herein is a thermoelectric element that includes a cold end, a hot end, and a p-type or n-type material having a length between the hot end and the cold end. The p-type or n-type material has an intrinsic Seebeck coefficient (S), an electrical resistivity (?), and a thermal conductivity (?). Each of two or more of S, ?, and ? generally increases along the length from the cold end to the hot end. The thermoelectric element may be provided in single-stage thermoelectric devices providing enhanced maximum temperature differences. The single-stage thermoelectric devices maybe combined with one another to provide multi-stage thermoelectric devices with even further enhanced maximum temperature differences.

Abstract: Thermoelectric enhanced hybrid heat pump systems are provided herein. A compressor increases the pressure of refrigerant within tubing. A first heat exchanger is downstream of the compressor and changes enthalpy of first fluid flow through heat exchange with refrigerant. A second heat exchanger changes enthalpy of second fluid flow through heat exchange with refrigerant. A thermoelectric device is downstream of the first heat exchanger and reduces refrigerant temperature. Expansion valves are downstream of the thermoelectric device and first heat exchanger, respectively located on first and second sides of the thermoelectric device, and expand refrigerant and reduce refrigerant pressure while conserving refrigerant enthalpy. At least one valve reverses refrigerant flow within the tubing without changing compressor operation. A control system controls the thermoelectric device and at least one valve to switch the heat pump system from heating mode to cooling mode and from cooling mode to heating mode.

Abstract: Provided herein is a thermoelectric element that includes a cold end, a hot end, and a p-type or n-type material having a length between the hot end and the cold end. The p-type or n-type material has an intrinsic Seebeck coefficient (S), an electrical resistivity (?), and a thermal conductivity (?). Each of two or more of S, ?, and ? generally increases along the length from the cold end to the hot end. The thermoelectric element may be provided in single-stage thermoelectric devices providing enhanced maximum temperature differences. The single-stage thermoelectric devices maybe combined with one another to provide multi-stage thermoelectric devices with even further enhanced maximum temperature differences.

Abstract: Thermoelectric systems employing distributed transport properties to increase cooling and heating performance are provided herein. In some examples, a thermoelectric heat pump is provided that includes a distributed transport properties (DTP) thermoelectric (TE) couple including at least one DTP TE element. The at least one DTP TE element includes a TE material with a Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, or electrical resistance varying within said DTP TE element such that when that DTP TE element is subjected to a fixed temperature differential and no current is flowing in a primary direction that produces heat pumping action, at least at one position within that DTP TE element there is a current that in steady state operation produces a lower temperature than the temperature at that position when no current is flowing.

Abstract: Provided herein is a thermoelectric element that includes a cold end, a hot end, and a p-type or n-type material having a length between the hot end and the cold end. The p-type or n-type material has an intrinsic Seebeck coefficient (S), an electrical resistivity (?), and a thermal conductivity (?). Each of two or more of S, ?, and ? generally increases along the length from the cold end to the hot end. The thermoelectric element may be provided in single-stage thermoelectric devices providing enhanced maximum temperature differences. The single-stage thermoelectric devices maybe combined with one another to provide multi-stage thermoelectric devices with even further enhanced maximum temperature differences.

Abstract: Thermoelectric systems employing distributed transport properties to increase cooling and heating performance are provided herein. In some examples, a thermoelectric heat pump is provided that includes a distributed transport properties (DTP) thermoelectric (TE) couple including at least one DTP TE element. The at least one DTP TE element includes a TE material with a Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, or electrical resistance varying within said DTP TE element such that when that DTP TE element is subjected to a fixed temperature differential and no current is flowing in a primary direction that produces heat pumping action, at least at one position within that DTP TE element there is a current that in steady state operation produces a lower temperature than the temperature at that position when no current is flowing.