how do i make a thermoelectric generator?

Question

i'm trying to make a thermoelectric generator from easy to get items (preferably household items). please be specific and if you can, please include a source.
and, how can i compare this to a solar cell?
thxx in advance first one to answer completely gets 10 points.

Answer 1

The only method I know with which you can make electricity out of heat (directly, not via a turbine like power stations do) is an electronic component called a thermocouple. Because one thermocouple gives off too tittle energy to do anything useful with it, you will require an array of several. Such array exists on the market, see http://www.hi-z.com/websit03.htm
And because there are not many practical applications where you can use a small amount of electricity near a heat source, the only "home-use" of this technology I have seen is a fan which you put on your oven / stove, to blow the warm air further to the centre of your room. Example: http://www.fluesystems.com/sundries/info/ecofan.htm

You can't really compare this with solar cells, because the energy sources are entirely different between those two.
The most noticeable difference is that one thermocouple produces a tiny amount of voltage at a reasonable current. Whereas photo cells produce a reasonable voltage at a "soft" current (higher internal resistance)..

Answer 2

If you want to be creative and inovative, you can make use of TEC Technology which small and good. It generate DC Voltage when it is Hot at one side and Cold at the other side.