How to transform, with a capacitor, thermal energy into usable work

E. N. Miranda

doi:10.1088/0143-0807/31/6/011

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arXiv · 1209.4389

How to transform, with a capacitor, thermal energy into usable work

E. N. Miranda

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Abstract

The temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity is taken into account to study the energy change in a capacitor that follows a cycle between a cold and a hot thermal reservoirs. There is a net energy gain in the process that, in principle, can be transformed into usable work. The article is simple enough as to be used with keen undergraduates that have taken a university general physics or thermodynamics course. Further experimental work and a possible technological application are suggested.

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E. N. Miranda. 2012-08-10. How to transform, with a capacitor, thermal energy into usable work. https://doi.org/10.1088/0143-0807%2F31%2F6%2F011

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