AMTEC cell

Matrix context

D = disequilibrium row · C = coupling family column. A cell reads the state of the atlas for that pair.

D.01 × C.21 · Temperature gradient × Electrochemicalfamily: Electrochemical

Typed bounds on this route

Every limit the atlas holds for this route, as constraint records: reached through bounded_by claims on the route's own entities. Hard bounds (an upper bound or a formula) decide the thermodynamic-bound check above; benchmarks, constitutive relations and resource limits are listed and never decisive. No prose limit exists anywhere (pass 42).

• Carnot limit · formula-bound · hard, applies to this route
  η ≤ 1 − T_c/T_h for any heat engine between reservoirs at T_h and T_c

Steps

1. 01
   Temperature gradient —drives→ Alkali-metal thermal-to-electric conversiondemonstratedclaim record

   thermal → electrical · loss to thermal

   • sodium at 900–1300 K on the hot side of a β″-alumina electrolyte and a condenser at 400–700 K

   above ~700 K · liquid

   refs [1]
2. 02
   Alkali-metal thermal-to-electric conversion —produces→ Ionic currentdemonstratedclaim record

   electrical → electrical

   refs [1]
3. 03
   Ionic current —converts into→ Electrical workestablishedclaim record

   electrical → electrical · loss to thermal

   • electrodes exchange the ionic current for an electronic current through the external load

   refs [2]

Evidence for the complete composition · 1

1. [1]
   T. Cole. Thermoelectric energy conversion with solid electrolytes (1983)

   Science 221, 915–920 · doi:10.1126/science.221.4614.915 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record

Evidence for the constituent relations · 2

1. [1]
   T. Cole. Thermoelectric energy conversion with solid electrolytes (1983)

   Science 221, 915–920 · doi:10.1126/science.221.4614.915 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record
2. [2]
   A. J. Bard, L. R. Faulkner. Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and Applications (2nd ed.) (2001)

   Wiley · book, no DOI · record