Jean Charles Athanase Peltier (1785 in Ham (France) - 1845 in Paris) was a French physicist.

He discovered the calorific effect of electric current passing through the junction of two different metals. This is now called the Peltier effect or Peltier–Seebeck effect. The Peltier effect, where current forced through a junction of two different metals forms the basis of the small 12 Volt heater/coolers sold for vehicle use. By switching the direction of current, either heating or cooling may be achieved. It also forms the basis of the rather expensive, but very stable, junction heated soldering irons, and is used for spot cooling of certain integrated circuits.

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