How can I turn heat into electricity?

Question

Hi, Im doing my IGCSE design project ( electronics ) and im trying to make a mat which can be placed behind a radiator and will turn that heat into electricity, a) to reduce heat loss through the wall, and b) to save electricity and create some at the same time.

Unfortunatly I have no idea what to use in the mat to turn the heat into electricity. I've been researching Thermocouples ( http://www.rvmobile.com/TECH/TROUBLE/Tcouple.htm ) but i've no idea how much they are and how how small. Does anyone have any idea about what I could use in the mat. ( plaese dont make it a expensive idea, this is just a project. )
Thanks

Answer 1

'If an iron wire and a copper wire are twisted together to form a junction, ... It will produce electricity for as long as heat is applied to it."

Answer 2

The problem is that heat, alone, won't do it. You need a temperature _difference_.
Hot _and_ cold.

Thermocouples are cheap, but produce little useable electricity. Good for a demonstration, but not for power generation

Answer 3

there is the thank you to teach the warmth of the sunlight (in a sunny warm climate like the place you reside) into electrical energy... in actuality, in case you reside close to the Mojave barren area, you will possibly be able to as properly see a number of those turbines on your area quickly! look on the object in my link source(s) below for greater suggestion and a few photos. of direction it is not available or a minimum of achieveable for somebody to do (different than for a billionaire) so which you would be in my opinion constrained to apply image voltaic panel - which do no longer use the warmth of the sunlight to generate electrical energy - or conversely you are able to save electrical energy via putting water heater panels on your roof to warmth warm water for inner maximum use or for a pool, or purchase a private "oven" human beings might desire to purchase to boil water or cook dinner nutrition merely making use of the sunlight's rays. desire that facilitates!