FRG: Novel Approaches to the Search for Advanced Thermoelectric Materials

FRG：寻找先进热电材料的新方法

• 批准号: 0205125
• 负责人: John Badding
• 金额: $ 47.22万
• 依托单位: Pennsylvania State Univ University Park
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2002
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2002-01-15 至 2005-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0205125&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: FRG; Novel; Approaches; Search; Advanced

The objective of this collaborative Focused Research Group (FRG) project is to invent a new class of thermoelectric (TE) materials that will significantly enhance the efficiency of cooling and power applications. Based on the theory of electronic and heat transport in solids, a theoretical model of semiconducting TE materials has been available for several decades. However, no known material has all the needed electronic and thermal characteristics. The purpose of this collaboration is to design, synthesize and characterize new classes of semiconducting thermoelectric materials that exhibit high efficiency as device materials. Electronic structure theory will provide general guidelines in the search for such materials. The main impediment is the inability of scientists to predict the composition or structure of new compounds, unless they are chemically similar to known compounds. However, once a new material is found and its crystal structure determined, its electronic band structure as well as transport properties can be calculated. Thus this research has both strong theoretical and experimental components. A close interaction between the chemists, physicists and theorists and their students through quarterly meetings, exchange visits, and internet communication, will provide rapid feedback and planning of the next experiments and calculations. The education and research components of this interdisciplinary project are well integrated, and overall success in this complex project will be realized through exceptional synergy.%%%Thermoelectric (TE) materials allow the construction of small, purely electronic devices that provide thermal cooling on passing a current, or that produce electricity directly from heat. TE coolers eliminate the need for compressors and gasses, such as freons. However, current TE coolers have low efficiency (only 10 % of the maximum allowed, while home refrigerators operate at about 30 % of Carnot efficiency.). Yet these devices are used in applications where efficiency is less important than small size or reliability. Their use would greatly expand if the efficiency could be raised to 30 % or more, resulting in environmental improvements and economic benefits. This is an ideal training ground for students. This experimental and theoretical project is highly interactive and interdisciplinary with strong synergy exhibited among the participating chemists and physicists and their graduate and postdoctoral students.

该重点研究小组 (FRG) 合作项目的目标是发明一种新型热电 (TE) 材料，该材料将显着提高冷却和电力应用的效率。基于固体中的电子和热传输理论，半导体 TE 材料的理论模型已经存在了几十年。然而，没有一种已知材料具有所有所需的电子和热特性。此次合作的目的是设计、合成和表征新型半导体热电材料，这些材料作为器件材料表现出高效率。电子结构理论将为寻找此类材料提供一般指导。主要障碍是科学家无法预测新化合物的组成或结构，除非它们在化学上与已知化合物相似。然而，一旦发现新材料并确定其晶体结构，就可以计算其电子能带结构和输运特性。因此，这项研究具有很强的理论和实验成分。化学家、物理学家、理论家和学生之间通过季度会议、互访和网络交流等方式进行密切互动，为下一步的实验和计算提供快速反馈和规划。这个跨学科项目的教育和研究部分很好地结合在一起，这个复杂项目的整体成功将通过卓越的协同作用来实现。%%%热电 (TE) 材料允许构建小型纯电子设备，这些设备在通过电流时提供热冷却，或直接从热量产生电力。 TE 冷却器无需压缩机和氟利昂等气体。然而，当前的 TE 冷却器效率较低（仅为允许最大效率的 10%，而家用冰箱的运行效率约为卡诺效率的 30%）。然而，这些器件用于效率比小尺寸或可靠性更重要的应用。如果效率能够提高到30%以上，其用途将大大扩大，从而改善环境并产生经济效益。这是学生理想的训练场。该实验和理论项目具有高度互动性和跨学科性，参与的化学家、物理学家及其研究生和博士后之间表现出很强的协同作用。