| 摘要 |
The invention provides a solid-state cooler that provides counter-current electricity flow through a device that includes Peltier junctions interconnecting the opposing flow of current through the device. The combination of counter-current flow with the Thompson,Peltier, and Seebeck thermoelectric effects provides an apparatus having the advantages of high energy efficiency, very small size and the ability to reach very low temperatures (near liquid nitrogen temperatures) with minimal energy input. The cooling apparatus is suitable for use in variety of applications, including superconductive devices such a superconductive Quantum Interference Devices (SQUID's) used in medical imaging to increase the sensitivity and resolution of NMR techniques. It is also provides a useful tool for cryosurgery apllications without the risks associated with the use and storage of liquid nitrogen. In addition, the device can be operated in the reverse to generate current from small gradients of temperature.
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