Thermoelectric property measurements with computer controlled systems

For the last decade the NASA space program has depended on silicon-germanium alloys for its thermoelectric applications. Now, with an increasing number of potential military and civil missions requiring high power, long life and durable power systems there is a renewed interest to search for new materials with even better properties than SiGe. Obtaining a large data base of the parameters which make up the figure of merit for different compounds over a large temperature range is critical in the selection and optimization of the best thermoelectric materials. Computerized systems can make this arduous data collection quicker, more efficient and accurate.