[[image:LTI.jpg|Thermoelectric wonder device of LTI|thumb]]
[[image:LTI.jpg|Thermoelectric wonder device of LTI|thumb]]
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Leonardo Technologies Inc. (LTI) is another US-American company of Andrea Rossi. LTI in Manchester(NH/USA) tried to develop thermoelectric modules with wondrous degrees of efficiency. Such elements work due to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_effect thermoelectric effect] (see also [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_cooling Thermoelectric cooling] enabling them to convert temperature differences to electrical voltage. Voltage is very low but through serial circuits higher voltage can be achieved. Efficiency is known to be very low. It lies between 2 and 4 percent and useful applications are limited to special needs ("Plutonium cells", satellite supply without sun collectors). Such converters would be only of commercial interest if efficiencies beyond 15% were achieved. LIT claimed to have realized thermoelectric modules (TE-device) with 20% efficiency. It was also claimed that they could build big converters with a capacity of several kilowatts. A collaboration with the university of New Hampshire was agreed upon. A device with 1 A and 100 volt (100 watt) was shown. Rossi continued his research later in Italy. The American Department of Defence showed interest, had the company CTC (in Johnstown, PA) test several devices of LIT and released a test protocol<ref>http://dodfuelcell.cecer.army.mil/library_items/Thermo(2004).pdf</ref>. The modules did not prove to be very reliable. Out of 27 devices just eight worked at all. Instead of the claimed 800 to 1000 watt they had just produced 1 Watt of power Further problems were thermal expansion and contact issues. Other modules sent later did not produce more power than a normal commercially available device.
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Leonardo Technologies Inc. (LTI) is another US-American company co-founded by Andrea Rossi. He sold this company in the late 90ies. Today, LTI Inc. is located in Bedford, NH (USA). LTI (formerly in Manchester,NH) tried to develop thermoelectric modules with wondrous degrees of efficiency. Such elements work due to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_effect thermoelectric effect] (see also [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoelectric_cooling Thermoelectric cooling] enabling them to convert temperature differences to electrical voltage. Voltage is very low but through serial circuits higher voltage can be achieved. Efficiency is known to be very low. It lies between 2 and 4 percent and useful applications are limited to special needs ("Plutonium cells", satellite supply without sun collectors). Such converters would be only of commercial interest if efficiencies beyond 15% were achieved. LIT claimed to have realized thermoelectric modules (TE-device) with 20% efficiency. It was also claimed that they could build big converters with a capacity of several kilowatts. A collaboration with the university of New Hampshire was agreed upon. A device with 1 A and 100 volt (100 watt) was shown. Rossi continued his research later in Italy. The American Department of Defence showed interest, had the company CTC (in Johnstown, PA) test several devices of LIT and released a test protocol<ref>http://dodfuelcell.cecer.army.mil/library_items/Thermo(2004).pdf</ref>. The modules did not prove to be very reliable. Out of 27 devices just eight worked at all. Instead of the claimed 800 to 1000 watt they had just produced 1 Watt of power Further problems were thermal expansion and contact issues. Other modules sent later did not produce more power than a normal commercially available device.