| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/J000884/1 |
| Title: |
Ultra-high temperature synthesis of high-performance Zintl thermoelectrics |
| Principal Investigator: |
Bos, Dr J |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Engineering and Physical Science |
| Organisation: |
Heriot-Watt University |
| Scheme: |
First Grant - Revised 2009 |
| Starts: |
13 September 2011 |
Ends: |
12 September 2013 |
Value (£): |
79,630
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Materials Characterisation |
Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
| Panel Date | Panel Name | Outcome |
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12 May 2011
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EPSRC Physical Sciences Materials - May
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Announced
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
Technologies that enable the efficient use of energy could have an enormous impact on the most pressing issues of today: global warming and the reliance on ever-dwindling supplies of fossil fuels.
The proposed research addresses this topical challenge through the investigation of the next generation of thermoelectric materials that harvest waste heat and transform it into useful electricity. In particular, the research is focused on thermoelectric materials that can operate at high temperatures, which is essential as the Carnot efficiency (the thermodynamic maximum) increases with temperature difference.
The scientific challenge is to optimise three competing material parameters; the Seebeck voltage; the electrical and thermal conductivity, and to do this in a material with good temperature stability.
The novelty of the proposed research derives from the use of ultra-high temperature synthesis to achieve temperature stability, and the synergistic exploitation of Zintl chemistry and interfaces in nanocomposites to obtain large thermoelectric figures of merit.
Zintl phases are key high-performance thermoelectric materials because the simultaneous presence of ionic and covalent regions enables a more independent optimisation of the thermoelectric parameters compared to electronically homogeneous materials. Two classes of promising Zintl-type phases have been identified, and the performance of outstanding bulk materials will be further enhanced through the use of interfaces in nanocomposites.
This ambitious and transformative research programme will contribute towards the development of high-performance thermoelectric materials operating at temperatures most suitable to power generation, enabling 20-30% energy conversion efficiencies. The research will also lead to an increased understanding of the relation between composition, structure and thermoelectric properties.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.hw.ac.uk |