Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Scientists Create Highly Efficient Thermoelectric Material Scientists at Northwestern University say they have found a better way to turn waste heat into electricity by improving "thermoelectric" devices. Until now, thermoelectrics were too inefficient or expensive for widespread use. According to a report in the latest issue of the journal Nature, a material called tin selenide has an unusual combination of properties that make it particularly good at converting heat into electric current. Tin selenide is a good conductor of electricity but a poor conductor of heat. Scientists say the new device could be a step toward making a more efficient hybrid car that would use fuel to directly create electricity rather than the less-efficient current process of running a gasoline motor to power a generator. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/scientists-create-highly-efficient-th ermoelectric-material/1895867.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/scientists-create-highly-efficient-thermoelectric-material/1895867.html