This section provides an overview for peltier elements as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 11 peltier element manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked peltier element companies as of November, 2024: 1.CUI Devices, 2.Dr. Neumann Peltier-Technik GmbH, 3.TEC Microsystems GmbH.
Table of Contents
A Peltier element is a device that uses the Peltier effect, in which heat is transferred at the junction when an electric current is applied to two different metals that have been intersected.
Efficient Peltier elements currently in practical use are not made of two metals but of three different materials: an n-type semiconductor, a metal, and a p-type semiconductor. They are usually used as cooling devices by utilizing heat transfer, but can also be used as heating devices since changing the direction of the electric current also changes the direction of heat transfer.
Unlike heat pumps, the Peltier element has the advantage of generating no noise or vibration, since the cooling effect is achieved simply by applying an electric current. In addition, since no refrigerant is required and no corrosive liquid is used, the Peltier element is a cooling device with low environmental impact.
Peltier elements are used in a wide range of fields as clean cooling elements.
Peltier elements are compact, clean, and safe. They are used in food showcases, small drink cases, milk coolers, hotel pans, etc.
Industrial equipment is vulnerable to water without exception, but measures are taken to control temperature and supply cold air with minimal condensation, or to incorporate condensation drains. Applications include operation panel cooling, surveillance camera cooling, local cooling of internal control panel components, cooling of molding dies, and constant-temperature humidity air supply systems.
Peltier elements are often used to cool devices in limited space. Specifically, they are used for direct cooling of heat-generating sources, cooling of small relay boxes, temperature control of photodetectors, temperature control of laser diodes, cooling of CCD cameras, projectors, copiers, and surveillance cameras, and cooling water for lasers, etc.
Peltier is used in commercial refrigerators for hospitals and hotel guest rooms, taking advantage of its advantages of no vibration and noise and the small size of the cooling mechanism. Peltier refrigerators are used in small refrigerators, cooler boxes, beer servers, wine cellars, aquarium water temperature control, computer CPU cooling, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, hair dryers, negative ion generators for facial care equipment, etc.
Peltier elements are also used for cooling and heating in the fields of measurement and analysis, semiconductors, and medical and physical chemistry.
Peltier elements currently use p-type and n-type semiconductors instead of metals. For electrons to be transferred from a p-type semiconductor with a low energy level to an n-type semiconductor with a high energy level, it is necessary to take in energy from the outside, which causes heat absorption and a decrease in temperature.
If the direction of the current flow is reversed, electrons are transferred from the higher energy to the lower energy side, resulting in heat generation to release the excess energy. Therefore, Peltier elements can be used as either a cooling or a heating device, depending on the direction of the current flow.
However, heat conversion using Peltier elements is not suitable for very large-scale cooling or heating because the efficiency is not high for power consumption. For efficient cooling, it is effective to use Peltier elements in combination with heat dissipation and exhaust mechanisms using fins and fans.
Generally, a cooling system exchanges heat by using a cooling gas called a refrigerant. Since this refrigerant is one of the greenhouse gases that affect global warming in no small measure, its environmental impact cannot be ignored.
On the other hand, electronic cooling using Peltier elements is a cooling system with a low environmental impact because it does not require a refrigerant. In addition, cooling systems that use refrigerants require compressors, which inevitably generate noise and vibration, but electronic cooling does not have these concerns.
The cooling function can be realized by utilizing the characteristics of the Peltier elements. When a DC current is applied to Peltier elements, heat absorption occurs at the low-temperature side, and heat generation occurs at the high-temperature side. The cooling function of the Peltier elements is based on this phenomenon.
Commercially available ones are capable of cooling down to negative temperatures. They are used in cooling boxes, cooling CPUs in PCs, etc.
Wearable devices have been developed using the properties of Peltier elements. Among the wearable devices on the market are devices that can heat or cool the neck.
This device can feel warm or cold by controlling the temperature of a panel located where it touches the neck.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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CUI Devices, established in 1989 and headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is an electronic components manufacturer that is ISO 9001 certified. It stocks motion, sensor, and relay solutions and works with several distribution partners, including Mouser Electronics, Digi-Key Electronics, and Electro Sonic. The company gives back to the community by supporting organizations like Tualatin School House Pantry, Girls Who Code, and Friends of Trees, which aim to uplift society by providing basic needs, STEM education, and environmental stewardship. It has contract manufacturing facilities in other countries, including China, Vietnam, and Japan.
Dr. Neumann Peltier-Technik GmbH was founded in 1956 and is a manufacturer of thermoelectric products based in Munich, Germany. The company's product range includes switch cabinet dehumidifiers, surface coolers, laboratory technology, energy-autonomous sensor technology, and various accessories. It utilizes Peltier technology to take advantage of its refrigerant-free cooling, vibration, and noise-free operation and robustness against environmental influences like salt mist, dust, and moisture. These benefits allow its products to be used in various applications, even on moving, accelerated, vibrating components or assemblies, and in multiple weather conditions.
cTech Ltd., established in 2003, is a thermal management solutions manufacturer headquartered in the UK. The company specializes in providing cutting-edge thermal management technologies to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and research institutions seeking solutions for thermal challenges. It collaborates with partners who possess research and development initiatives, pushing the boundaries of existing technologies and delivering solutions that eliminate the current limitations faced by its customers. The company's product portfolio includes thermal interface materials, thermoelectric coolers, Peltier assemblies, heat sinks, and more, serving various industries and applications, including the military, LED lighting, life sciences, aerospace, and telecommunications.
Ferrotec Corporation was established in 1968 and is a manufacturer of magnetic liquid and sealing products for electric components based in Livermore, California, United States. The company's product portofolio includes ferrofluidic seals, machinable ceramics, temescal systems, MeiVac components, and E-Beam components. Various industries have used and applied the products such as semiconductor manufacturing, electronic devices, bio-medical applications, opto-electronics, and automotive. The company also capable of handling precision machining, clean room assembly, vaccum welding, software design, and sheet metal fabrication.
Marlow Industries is a subsidiary of II-VI Incorporated, now known as II-VI Marlow. II-VI produces various optical components, laser tools, and engineering materials for a vast array of markets including communications, automotive, life sciences , aerospace and defense. Marlow in particular is a designer and manufacturer of fiber optics guidance systems, infrared sensors and their subsystems, as well as various refrigerating and cooling systems.
P&N Technology has been a thermal management solutions manufacturer based in Xiamen, China, since 2012. The company specializes in producing thermoelectric modules (TEM) and thermoelectric assemblies (TEA). These products are critical in thermal management solutions requiring precise temperature control. TEMs efficiently convert electrical energy into cooling or heating, making it essential in various applications. Additionally, the company offers technical consulting services, allowing it to assist its clients in designing thermoelectric projects from the initial concept through different project stages. It aims to deliver cost-effective solutions tailored to the specific needs of its customers.
Crystal Ltd. is headquartered in KOROLEV, Moscow, Russia is a manufacturer of Coolers Peltier, Thermoelectric Modules (TEM), and Thermoelectric Assemblies (TEA). The portfolio of the company consists of Standard-High Thermoelectric Modules, Air-to-air Thermoelectric Assemblies, Thermoelectric Devices for Air Conditioners, HF Series Outdoor Thermoelectric Assemblies, On/Off Temperature Controllers, and many more. Standard-High Thermoelectric Modules are designed for a lot of applications that require medium and large cooling capacity and high currents. The company has implemented a management system in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001:2015.
Based in Ibaraki Prefecture north of Tokyo, Takagi Manufacturing Company is a specialized metal manufacturer specializing in copper components, especially for computing and technology industries. Takagi Manufacturing Company is a pioneer in thermal products, focusing on original product designs of various types including plating, Seebeck units, and heater coolers with a recent emphasis in water-cooled heatsinks for the electronics industry.
Eureca Messtechnik GmbH, founded in 1997 and based in Cologne, Germany, is a developer and supplier of OEM components centering on cameras, optical measurement, and thermoelectric cooling systems. Its products include CMOS sensors, lenses, filters, cooling systems, and sockets, and the company works with various manufacturers and suppliers, including Toshiba, ZEISS, CMOS Sensor Inc., Sony, and Andon Electronics. Some of the company’s technical consulting services include simulating CCD/CMOS images to assess sensor quality, developing customized CCD/CMOS image sensors for specific applications, and measuring camera parameters to establish critical characteristics.
TEC Microsystems GmbH, founded in 2007 and based in Technology Park Berlin Adlershof, Germany, is a manufacturer and distributor of miniature thermoelectric module developments. Its products include regular coolers, aluminum thermoelectric coolers, thermoelectric sub-assemblies, and more. The company prioritizes the research and development of tiny thermoelectric modules to facilitate the continuous development of its products. It serves a global base of customers in industries such as optoelectronics, telecom, micro-electronics, space, and many more.
European Thermodynamics Ltd., a company established in 2001 in Kibworth, Leicestershire, UK, is a supplier of thermal solutions. The company provides various products, including energy harvesting, thermoelectric modules, temperature controllers, heaters, and heat pipes. The thermoelectric modules are used in heating or cooling to reduce the coefficient of temperature. Its products are also used in automotive, manufacturing, marine, aerospace, and building applications. As ISO 9001:2015 certified, the company offers various services such as mechanical design, thermal analysis, embedded electronics, prototyping, and stress analysis.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | CUI Devices |
17.5%
|
2 | Dr. Neumann Peltier-Technik GmbH |
14.1%
|
3 | TEC Microsystems GmbH |
11.9%
|
4 | Marlow Industries Inc. |
10.2%
|
5 | Ferrotec (USA) Corporation |
8.5%
|
6 | P&N Technology |
7.3%
|
7 | cTech Limited |
7.3%
|
8 | European Thermodynamics Ltd. |
6.8%
|
9 | TAKAGI MFG.CO.,LTD. |
6.8%
|
10 | Crystal Ltd. |
6.2%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the peltier element page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
Germany | 3 | 37.5% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 25.0% |
Japan | 2 | 25.0% |
United States of America | 1 | 12.5% |