NOVELTY - The thermoelectric device (1) includes a header coupled to one side of the thermoelectric pairs (2a,2b). A second header is coupled to the second side of the thermoelectric pairs. All the thermoelectric pairs between the headers (3,4) form a thermal conduction channel area through all of the thermoelectric pairs that is smaller than an area of either the primary header or secondary header adjacent the thermoelectric pairs such that the thermal conduction channel area is a fraction or 0.5 percent of the area of the header adjacent thermoelectric pairs.    USE - Thermoelectric device for use in power conversion and cooling power dissipating device with the use of thin film thermoelectric materials e.g. for increasing total fuel efficiency of the automobile by converting waste heat spent from the combustion process into electrical power.    ADVANTAGE - Catastrophic failures can be reduced and avoided since the thermoelectric device can continue in the cooling mode until the heat source is turned off, removed or otherwise decoupled from the thermoelectric device once the coolant failure is restored or in the event of permanent failure of the cooling system. The thermoelectric devices conduct a high active heat flux while maintaining a much lower flux through the surfaces and through the thermocomponents to realize ultra-high specific power in the thermocomponents. The heat flux through the heat gatherer and the heat spreader is smaller for reduced parking friction of the thermocomponents. A packing fraction of the thermocomponents relative to the area of the heat spreader permits the utilization of thinner thermocomponents to reduce fabrication costs.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a thermoelectric power conversion system.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a schematic view of the thermoelectric device.    Thermoelectric device (1)    Thermoelectric pairs (2a,2b)    Headers (3,4)    Heat pipe (5)    Electrical connection (6)