How is the thermoelectric figure of merit calculated from the Seebeck coefficient electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity?

In the context of developing semiconductor materials for thermoelectric power generators, the figure of merit is a critical parameter used to evaluate material performance. It is calculated by taking the square of the Seebeck coefficient ($\alpha$) and dividing it by the product of the electrical resistivity ($\rho$) and the thermal conductivity ($\kappa$).1

Mathematically, this relationship is expressed as:

$$Z=\frac{{\alpha }^2}{\rho \kappa }$$

This figure of merit helps researchers identify materials that can effectively convert temperature differentials into electric power by balancing the requirements for high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity.1