Flexible modular hierarchical adaptively controlled electronic-system cooling and energy harvesting for IC chip packaging, printed circuit boards, subsystems, cages, racks, IT rooms, and data centers using quantum and classical thermoelectric materials

A system for adaptive cooling and heat gathering, the method comprising a thermoelectric device capable of acting as a thermoelectric cooler in a heat pump mode and as a thermoelectric generator in a heat engine operating mode, a control system received provided input signals and providing a control output; and switching electronics controlled by the control output and connected to the thermoelectric device, wherein the control system controls the operating mode of the thermoelectric device responsive to provided input signals.