Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,

I appreciate the work of Google Science Fair Winner Ann Makosinki from Canada for the amazing peltier tile torch that she had invented. Could i make something similar to that with pyroelectricity used in things used most often by us for Google Science Fair 2014?

Hi samhitha,

Welcome to the Forums. I'd like to make sure I understand your question. You are wondering if you can make a flashlight powered by pyroelectricity, correct? Pyroelectric materials produce a change in voltage as they are heated and cooled; pyroelectricity is not the same thing as the thermoelectric effect, which drives Peltier tiles.

Please post back with details (what your engineering goal is, etc.) so that we can be more helpful.