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2010.12.8 Wed
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Osaka University's thermoelectronic converter donated to the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination

A thermoelectronic converter, developed by Osaka University and exhibited in the Osaka Pavilion in the Best Urban Practice Area, was donated to the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination by the Osaka Exhibition Committee for Shanghai World Expo. (The chairperson for the Osaka Exhibition Committee for Shanghai World Expo is Osaka Prefecture Governor, Hashimoto, Vice chairperson is Osaka City Mayor, Hiramatsu.)

This thermoelectronic converter will be exhibited in the Memorial Hall of Expo 2010 Shanghai China, opening on May 1, 2012.

Osaka University, Osaka City, and Osaka Prefecture expect that exhibition of the thermoelectronic converter will help promote exchange between Osaka and other overseas cities, including Shanghai, in fields of education, research, and economy.

上海

In the picture above, five palm-shaped devices are installed on the panel in the center. They are thermic generation modules in which thermoelectric conversion elements and a fan are mounted. If you put your hand on the thermoelectric conversion element on the module, your hand's temperature will be transferred to the element and rotate the fan.

Thermoelectronic converter

Thermoelectrics is a technology to directly turn heat into electricity using the Seebeck effect in a solid. Currently, about 70% of primary energy is thrown away. A trial to recover exhaust heat using this technology and use it effectively as electric energy is now attracting attention.* At Osaka University, the Graduate School of Engineering and Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research are conducting research about thermoelectronics and have produced world's highest level of research results.**


Notes

* Thermoelectric Conversion Technology Handbook , edited by KAJIKAWA Takenobu, NTS Inc., December, 2008

** For example, J. P. Heremans et al., Science , 321. 554-557 (2008)


International Liaison Division, Department of International Affairs

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