Thermogenerators are devices which convert heat (temperature differences) directly into electrical energy. For the most part, this term is synonymous with "thermoelectric generator" (TEG) and rarely used in English. Essentially they work on the principle of the Seebeck effect, with typical efficiencies of around 5-10%. Older Seebeck-based devices used bimetallic junctions and were bulky while more recent devices use bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) semiconductor p-n junctions and can have thicknesses in the millimeter range. These are solid state devices and unlike dynamos have no moving parts, with the occasional exception of a fan.

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