Abstract: A thermoelectric material in a shape for forming part of a thermoelectric module, the thermoelectric material is coated with a protective layer to prevent degradation by humidity, oxygen, chemicals or thermal stress.

Abstract: In a thermoelectric module comprising a series of p and n type semiconductors connected in series by conductive contacts, the conductive contacts are in contact with a substrate of moderate to high thermal conductivity that is electrically insulated from the conductive contacts by a resistive surface layer comprising a ceramic material.

Abstract: A solid polycrystalline potassium ion conductor having a ??-Al2O3 structure is obtainable by means of ion exchange of the alkali metal ions of a polycrystalline alkali metal ??-Al2O3 moulding, in which the alkali metal ions are sodium ions or a mixture of sodium and potassium ions and the molar ratio M2O (M=alkali metal) to Al2O3 is 1: x, x being an integer or non-integer number within the range 5 to 11, for potassium ions, the ion exchange being effected by a method wherein neither chloride-containing nor liquid potassium ion sources are used, the method comprising the steps of: embedding the polycrystalline alkali metal ??-Al2O3 moulding in an oxidic powder containing potassium and aluminium of a molar K2O: Al2O3 ratio within the range of 1: (x?1) to 1: (x+1), the weight of oxidic powder amounting to at least two times the weight of the moulding; heating the embedded moulding at a rate of at least 100° C. per hour to at least 1100° C.; and further heating to at least 1300° C.

Abstract: Organic carrier liquids used in electrophoretic deposition have to be recycled for economic and environmental reasons. This specification disclosed recycling using the separate steps of de-ionizing and drying the carrier liquid to provide fresh carrier liquid.