Alphabet Energy was a startup company founded in 2009 at the University of California, Berkeley by thermoelectrics expert Matthew L. Scullin[2] and Peidong Yang.

[3] The company uses nanotechnology and materials science applications to create thermoelectric generators that are more cost effective than previous bismuth telluride-based devices.

[8] Alphabet has a number of patents related to the capture of waste heat for purposes of electricity generation.

The E1's modules are interchangeable but currently come with a low-cost proprietary thermoelectric material and the device is rated for a 10-year life span.

Alphabet opened a Houston office to keep pace with energy industry demand for remote power generation solutions.