Charge carrier

Thermoelectric generator

Electrical engineering

Physics

Charge (physics)

Engineering physics

Biology

Heat exchanger

Seebeck coefficient

Figure of merit

Engineering

Paleontology

Power (physics)

Waste heat

Materials science

Electricity

Thermoelectric materials

Context (archaeology)

Quantum mechanics

Optoelectronics

Thermoelectric effect

Mechanical engineering

Thermodynamics

Advanced Functional Materials

Exhaustive attempts are made in recent decades to improve the performance of thermoelectric materials that are utilized for waste heat‐to‐electricity conversion. Energy filtering of charge carriers is directed toward enhancing the material thermopower. This paper focuses on the theoretical concepts, experimental evidence, and the authors' view of energy filtering in the context of thermoelectric materials. Recent studies suggest that not all materials experience this effect with the same intensity. Although this effect theoretically demonstrates improvement of the thermopower, applying it poses certain constraints, which demands further research. Predicated on data documented in literature, the unusual dependence of the thermopower and conductivity upon charge carrier concentrations can be altered through the energy filtering approach. Upon surmounting the physical constraints discussed in this article, thermoelectric materials research may gain a new direction to enhance the power factor and thermoelectric figure of merit.

Energy Filtering of Charge Carriers: Current Trends, Challenges, and Prospects for Thermoelectric Materials