Abstract: Provided herein is a thermoelectric system for generating electricity using ambient temperature oscillations (e.g., between day and night time). The thermoelectric system may comprise a first heat exchanger, a thermoelectric generator, one or more heat conducting units, a second heat exchanger, and a container configured to (i) contain the second heat exchanger and a thermal storage material and (ii) insulate the thermal storage material from an external to the container.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to graded thermoelectric materials. In one aspect, a method includes providing a plurality of nanostructures. The plurality of nanostructures comprise a thermoelectric material, with nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures having first ligands disposed on surfaces of the nanostructures. The plurality of nanostructures is deposited on a substrate to form a layer. The layer is contacted with a solution containing second ligands. A ligand exchange process occurs where some of the first ligands disposed on the plurality of nanostructures are replaced with the second ligands. A first region of the layer is removed from contact with the solution so that the ligand exchange process does not occur in the first region of the layer, with the ligand exchange process occurring in the layer in contact with the solution. The layer is then removed from contact with the solution.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides thermoelectric cooling devices, systems and methods. A thermoelectric system of the present disclosure may comprise a chamber configured to hold the beverage container; at least one actuator configured to rotate the beverage container within the chamber; a source of a thermal coupling medium in fluid communication with the chamber, wherein the thermal coupling medium is configured to thermally couple the beverage container to one or more walls of the chamber; a heat sink; and a plurality of thermoelectric cooling elements surrounding the chamber, wherein the plurality of thermoelectric cooling elements is configured to transfer heat from the beverage container to the heat sink upon application of power to the plurality of thermoelectric cooling elements, thereby cooling the beverage container.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to graded thermoelectric materials. In one aspect, a method includes providing a plurality of nanostructures. The plurality of nanostructures comprise a thermoelectric material, with nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures having first ligands disposed on surfaces of the nanostructures. The plurality of nanostructures is deposited on a substrate to form a layer. The layer is contacted with a solution containing second ligands. A ligand exchange process occurs where some of the first ligands disposed on the plurality of nanostructures are replaced with the second ligands. A first region of the layer is removed from contact with the solution so that the ligand exchange process does not occur in the first region of the layer, with the ligand exchange process occurring in the layer in contact with the solution. The layer is then removed from contact with the solution.