New Ideas for Advancing Thermoelectric Performance

Explore new ideas for enhancing thermoelectric performance in this 37-minute conference talk by Mildred Dresselhaus at the Materials Research Society. Delve into the challenges of improving the figure of merit for thermoelectric materials, considering the interdependence of the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. Learn about Shuang Tang's innovative approach for a more convergent path to enhance thermoelectric efficiency. Examine recent progress in this field, including the use of low-dimensional and nanotech thermoelectricity, nanocomposites, and thermal conductivity reduction. Investigate SiGe-based materials, ball milling techniques for nanocomposite creation, and high-abundance, low-cost thermoelectric materials. Gain insights into practical implementation, the introduction of pseudo zt and zt parameters, and methods for improving carrier mobility through modulation doping. Understand the potential of thermoelectrics as an alternative energy source and their various applications.

Intro
The energy alternatives
Thermoelectric effect and applications Seebeck effect
Why low dimensional or nanotech thermoelectricity
Nanocomposites approach
Thermal conductivity reduction is key to increasing ZT
Outline
SiGe-based materials Ball milling used to make SiGe nanocomposites
High-abundance, low-cost thermoelectric materials
Practical implementation
Introduction of pseudo zt, and zt parameters
Conclusions
Improving carrier mobility by modulation doping