Impurity thermovoltaic effect of semiconductor structures: Specific features and outlook

The concept and approach aimed at the development of high-performance inexpensive converters of thermal energy, including solar energy, into electric energy have been proposed. This approach is based on the use of technical (metallurigical grade) semiconductor materials. A number of proposals have been formulated relating to the conditions of the impurity thermovoltaic effect and development of silicon thermoelectric cells.