Energy efficiency, thermoelectric effects and nanotechnology

We discuss the relationship among energy efficiency, thermoelectric effects, and nanotechnology. We first discuss energy efficiency and the problem of waste heat，then describ the thermoelectric properties of materials and the possibility and challenges of using thermoelectrics to generate power from waste heat. Finally, we discuss the impact of nanotechnology on the thermoelectric properties of materials and why it provides a great potential for bringing thermoelectric energy applications to reality.