This invention prevents measurement error from becoming large in thermoelectric conversion coefficient evaluation and enhances evaluation efficiency. This invention is a physical property evaluation device for evaluating the physical properties of a plurality of solid materials formed on a substrate. The physical property evaluation device comprises an electromotive force measurement means that forms closed circuits including the individual solid materials and measures the electromotive forces occurring at the two ends of each of the solid materials, a means for producing heat flow within the individual solid materials, an external magnetic field generation means for generating a uniform magnetic field having a given intensity and direction in the vicinity of the individual solid materials, and an automation means for evaluating the physical properties of the individual solid materials using the electromotive force measurement means, heat flow production means, and external magnetic field generation means.

This invention prevents measurement error from becoming large in thermoelectric conversion coefficient evaluation and enhances evaluation efficiency. This invention is a physical property evaluation device for evaluating the physical properties of a plurality of solid materials formed on a substrate. The physical property evaluation device comprises an electromotive force measurement means that forms closed circuits including the individual solid materials and measures the electromotive forces occurring at the two ends of each of the solid materials, a means for producing heat flow within the individual solid materials, an external magnetic field generation means for generating a uniform magnetic field having a given intensity and direction in the vicinity of the individual solid materials, and an automation means for evaluating the physical properties of the individual solid materials using the electromotive force measurement means, heat flow production means, and external magnetic field generation means.

A magnetocaloric device (1), comprises: at least one magnetocaloric material (5) embedded between two heat transfer structures (TD.sub.hot, TD.sub.cold); at least one electric source for generating a magnetic field; and at least one hydraulic circuit in which the working fluid flows in a constant direction and which comprises at least one propulsion means (6) for the working fluid, wherein the heat transfer structures (TD.sub.hot, TD.sub.cold) are adapted to control the transfer or transport of heat between the magnetocaloric material (5) and the working fluid.

[Object] To provide a thermoelectric body that can be deposited on any substrate, which is not limited to a single crystal bulk material or an epitaxially grown thin film, and is capable of exhibiting high coercive force and residual magnetization with respect to in-plane magnetization.

[Solving Means] A thermoelectric body that is a magnetic film for use in a thermoelectric generation element utilizing an anomalous Nernst effect, characterized by having an easy axis of magnetization in an in-plane direction and an amorphous structure. Favorably, the thermoelectric body is characterized in that Sm.sub.pCo.sub.100-p (0<p?50) or Sm.sub.p(Fe.sub.qCo.sub.100-q).sub.100-p (0<p?50, 0?q?100) is included.

[Object] To provide a thermoelectric power generation device that efficiently utilizes thermal energy/heat flow passing through a power generation module/heat flow sensor.

[Solving Means] It includes a plurality of magnetic wires 21 that is formed of a single magnetic material with large thermoelectric power due to an anomalous Nernst effect and is arranged in parallel on one surface of an insulation film 22; a plurality of non-magnetic wires 23 or a plurality of diamagnetic wires 27 arranged in parallel on the other surface of the insulation film 22 so as to be parallel or oblique to a direction in which the plurality of magnetic wires 21 is extended; through contact holes 24 that pass through the insulation film 22 and electrically connect the plurality of magnetic wires 21 and the plurality of non-magnetic wires 23 or the plurality of diamagnetic wires 27 so that a first magnetic wire 21a and a second magnetic wire 21b adjacent to each other, of the plurality of magnetic wires, can be connected in series via the plurality of non-magnetic wires 23 or the plurality of diamagnetic wires 27; and a substrate 20 that is formed of an insulating material or a conductive material coated with an insulating material, holds a stacked body of the plurality of magnetic wires 21, the insulation film 22, and the plurality of non-magnetic wires 23 or the plurality of diamagnetic wires 27, and is in thermal contact with the stacked body.

[Object] To provide a thermoelectric power generation device that efficiently utilizes thermal energy/heat flow passing through a power generation module/heat flow sensor.

[Solving Means] It includes a plurality of magnetic wires 21 that is formed of a single magnetic material with large thermoelectric power due to an anomalous Nernst effect and is arranged in parallel on one surface of an insulation film 22; a plurality of non-magnetic wires 23 or a plurality of diamagnetic wires 27 arranged in parallel on the other surface of the insulation film 22 so as to be parallel or oblique to a direction in which the plurality of magnetic wires 21 is extended; through contact holes 24 that pass through the insulation film 22 and electrically connect the plurality of magnetic wires 21 and the plurality of non-magnetic wires 23 or the plurality of diamagnetic wires 27 so that a first magnetic wire 21a and a second magnetic wire 21b adjacent to each other, of the plurality of magnetic wires, can be connected in series via the plurality of non-magnetic wires 23 or the plurality of diamagnetic wires 27; and a substrate 20 that is formed of an insulating material or a conductive material coated with an insulating material, holds a stacked body of the plurality of magnetic wires 21, the insulation film 22, and the plurality of non-magnetic wires 23 or the plurality of diamagnetic wires 27, and is in thermal contact with the stacked body.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric conversion element capable of achieving high-efficiency thermoelectric conversion using comparatively inexpensive materials. The present invention is accordingly provided with: a magnetic body layer, an electromotive film for generating electromotive force, and two terminal parts formed so that each is in contact with the electromotive film at two locations having different potentials due to the electromotive force. The electromotive film is formed on the magnetic body layer, said film comprising a Ni-containing magnetic alloy. Said film is doped with a 5d transition metal element, and Ni is the matrix.

An apparatus comprising: an active magnetic regenerative regenerator comprising multiple successive layers, wherein each layer comprises an independently compositionally distinct magnetic refrigerant material having Curie temperatures 18-22 K apart between successively adjacent layers, and the layers are arranged in successive Curie temperature order and magnetic refrigerant material mass order with a first layer having the highest Curie temperature layer and highest magnetic refrigerant material mass and the last layer having the lowest Curie temperature layer and lowest magnetic refrigerant material mass.

A method and apparatus for generating electricity using a thermodynamic inductor formed from a thermodynamic conductor winding that converts heat into a dynamic magnetic field density within the winding, inducing a current in the winding, which is electric power for loads. The winding may be a composite, including a coaxial arrangement of two or more superconducting layers. The first layer has a low critical magnetic field. When the field in the thermodynamic layer increases, the layer transitions to the intermediate state, cooling from the entropy increase, and absorbing heat. Subsequently when the field decreases, the layer resumes superconductivity, increasing available energy which is used to expel the field and induce generated electricity. The second conductive layer in the winding, in electrical contact with the first, remains in the superconducting state, reducing heating. A connected capacitor provides L-C oscillations and energy storage, maintaining cyclical operation, and powers connected and dissipating loads.

A method and apparatus for generating electricity using a thermodynamic inductor formed from a thermodynamic conductor winding that converts heat into a dynamic magnetic field density within the winding, inducing a current in the winding, which is electric power for loads. The winding may be a composite, including a coaxial arrangement of two or more superconducting layers. The first layer has a low critical magnetic field. When the field in the thermodynamic layer increases, the layer transitions to the intermediate state, cooling from the entropy increase, and absorbing heat. Subsequently when the field decreases, the layer resumes superconductivity, increasing available energy which is used to expel the field and induce generated electricity. The second conductive layer in the winding, in electrical contact with the first, remains in the superconducting state, reducing heating. A connected capacitor provides L-C oscillations and energy storage, maintaining cyclical operation, and powers connected and dissipating loads.