Which mechanism limits the power output of a thermoelectric generator operating at maximum temperature difference?

💡 Explanation

When operating at maximum temperature difference, thermal back-conduction occurs because heat flows from the hot side to cold side due to temperature gradient, reducing net heat flux and conversion efficiency. Therefore thermal back-conduction limits power, rather than electron scattering, radiation, or Seebeck coefficient changes, which may reduce efficiency but are secondary to the back-conduction effect.

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