Thermoelectric Harvesting from the Lunar Day-Night Subsurface Temperature Gradient: A Bounded Assessment

This study assesses thermoelectric harvesting from the shallow subsurface temperature gradient and finds it weak: at a device efficiency of 4.47 percent across the stated gradient, heat conduction supplies 0.80 watts per square metre and electrical output is 36 milliwatts per square metre, or 3.6 watts from 100 square metres. The Carnot factor for the stated temperatures is 23.5 percent. Sizing follows from computed thermal budgets derived in the study. This is a computed study with no targeting or weapon application. The work is simulated and computed from stated assumptions, not measured.