biostudies-literatureGuo TThe National Key Research and Development Program of ChinaThe Fundamental Research Funds for the Central UniversitiesThe Disruptive Innovation Funding Programs33664https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12480754biostudies-literatureUnknown15(1)A novel thermoelectricity-amplified transistor model based on thermoelectric (TE) materials is proposed, which synergistically integrating the Seebeck effect and bipolar junction transistor operation. The design leverages temperature gradient-induced carrier transport in a Bi-Sb-Te PNP heterojunction in lateral configuration under unidirectional thermal excitation. By combining voltage generation from the Seebeck effect (ΔT-driven) with the inherent current amplification of transistors, this self-powered device demonstrates enhanced energy conversion capabilities without requiring external bias. Numerical simulations demonstrated that under a 50 K thermal gradient, the optimized single device configuration achieves 102.14 µW output power (P_out) with 1.04% energy conversion efficiency (η), showcasing its viability for low-grade heat recovery applications.Scientific reportsOutput performance of Bi-Sb-Te based thermoelectric-transistor model on parallel temperature gradient.PMC124807542017YFF020470619-163-13-ZT-001-008-19FRF-MP-18-005, and FRF-MP-19-005Li SRen LChen JNan BGuo TWang WXu GfalseOutput performance of Bi-Sb-Te based thermoelectric-transistor model on parallel temperature gradient.A novel thermoelectricity-amplified transistor model based on thermoelectric (TE) materials is proposed, which synergistically integrating the Seebeck effect and bipolar junction transistor operation. The design leverages temperature gradient-induced carrier transport in a Bi-Sb-Te PNP heterojunction in lateral configuration under unidirectional thermal excitation. By combining voltage generation from the Seebeck effect (ΔT-driven) with the inherent current amplification of transistors, this self-powered device demonstrates enhanced energy conversion capabilities without requiring external bias. Numerical simulations demonstrated that under a 50 K thermal gradient, the optimized single device configuration achieves 102.14 µW output power (P_out) with 1.04% energy conversion efficiency (η), showcasing its viability for low-grade heat recovery applications.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Sep2026-06-03T22:53:38.842Z2026-05-02T03:12:14.308ZS-EPMC124807544102308510.1038/s41598-025-18143-2