SBIR Phase I: CuInSe2 (Copper Indium Diselenide) Thermoelectric Devices

*9761508 Eisgruber这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目建议在刚性和柔性衬底上开发薄膜铜铟二硒(CIS)热电设备，包括开发用于热电的薄膜生长工艺，并对设备融入具有特殊发电或冷却要求的系统进行建模。目前，高生产成本和低效率阻碍了热电器件的广泛使用。大多数商业上可用的热电设备都是使用单晶半导体堆栈制造的。单晶制造技术已经相当成熟，要降低生产成本，必须采用新材料和新制造技术。用于薄膜光伏组件的独联体的沉积最近取得了显著的进展。有趣的是，CuInSe2也为热电设备带来了巨大的希望。对其热学性质的初步研究表明，它具有非常高的(超过单位的)热电优值。开发价格低廉、重量轻的热电设备具有巨大的商业潜力。可能的应用包括电子冷却、医疗应用的精确控制制冷、汽车尾气热回收发电，以及用于船舶和潜艇的静音紧凑型空调。由于柔性基板减轻了重量和包装尺寸，移动应用将从柔性热电材料的发展中受益匪浅。***

*** 9761508 Eisgruber This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I project proposes development of thin film copper indium diselenide (CIS) thermoelectric devices on rigid and flexible substrates, including both development of the film growth process for thermoelectrics and modeling the incorporation of the devices into systems with specific power generation or cooling requirements. Currently, high production costs and low efficiency inhibit the widespread use of thermoelectric devices. Most commercially available thermoelectric devices are manufactured using single crystal semiconductor stacks. Single crystal fabrication technologies are fairly mature; To reduce production costs, new materials and fabrication technologies must be utilized. Recent developments in deposition of CIS for use in thin film photovoltaic modules has been especially dramatic. Interestingly, CuInSe2 also holds great promise for thermoelectric devices. Initial investigation of its thermal properties indicate a very high (exceeding unity) thermoelectric figure of merit. The development of inexpensive, lightweight thermoelectric devices promises a huge commercial potential. Possible applications include electronics cooling, precisely controlled refrigeration for medical applications, power generation from vehicle exhaust heat recovery, and silent, compact air-conditioning for use in ships and submarines. Mobile applications stand to benefit significantly from the development of flexible thermoelectrics, as flexible substrates reduce both weight and packaging size. ***