In at least one embodiment a thermoelectric generator is provided. The thermoelectric generator includes a cap and a thermopile. The cap is coupled to a heat generating device for receiving thermal energy therefrom. The thermopile includes superlattice quantum well materials and an absorber for contacting the cap to receive the thermal energy and to generate an electrical output to one of store the electrical output on a storage device and power a first device with the electrical output in response to the thermal energy.