Thermoelectric cooling is a type of solid-state

environmentally friendly cooling technology based on thermoelectric phenomenon. The thermoelectric cooling system has advantages over other refrigeration methods including small volume

simple structure

high reliability

rapid cooling

and simple operation. This study reviewed recent advances in thermoelectric cooling from two main aspects: thermoelectric cooling applications and performance optimization. In this study

developmental history

principle

characteristics

and research direction of thermoelectric cooling were briefly introduced. Next

thermoelectric cooling applications were summarized

including the application of thermoelectric refrigerators

thermoelectric air conditioning

heat dissipation of electronic devices

and a composite system

particularly for thermoelectric cooling using solar energy and other cooling systems in the composite system. Finally

to improve a thermoelectric cooling system’s performance

many optimization methods have been described

including the structure of a thermoelectric cooler

working parameters

and hot end heat exchangers. In addition

the research progress of pulse currents has been added to working parameters. It is expected that this study will be beneficial to thermoelectric cooling system application and optimization.