SGER: Thermoelectrics in Nature: Electrochemical and Thermal Measurements of Extracellular Shark Gel

提案编号：CTS-0425106主要研究者：Alexis R. Abramson所属机构：凯斯西储大学提案标题：SGER：自然界中的热电：细胞外鲨鱼凝胶的电化学和热测量这项探索性研究小额资助（SGER）的目标是探索自然界中发现的热电物质：在某些种类的鲨鱼Cetorhinus maximus下面发现的凝胶，其中产生电压响应非常小的温度梯度。该项目的主要目标将是确定为什么鲨鱼凝胶具有独特的热电性能。更好地了解所涉及的现象可能会导致更好的工程热电材料的设计，为特定的应用。调查将涉及鲨鱼凝胶的热和电性能的测量和凝胶中糖蛋白的原子力显微镜成像，以提供有关其结构和形式的信息。关于这一主题的有限的初步研究是由具有强大生物学背景的研究人员进行的，但不是由具有热/电传输或热电领域专业知识的研究人员进行的。这项研究是探索性的，因为它从一个独特的角度调查了一个不寻常的话题;它冒险进入潜在的变革性研究;它很可能催化创新的进步;它有可能对热电领域产生重大影响。拟议的活动将通过开发新型“智能”热电材料，因此，能量转换装置没有移动部件，对环境无害，并且可以容易地结合到小规模技术中。如果能够开发出具有上级热电性能的替代材料，无疑将引发能量转换、发电和散热应用的革命。除了对社会的科学利益，一个强大的学习和教学组成部分，不可或缺的研究目标，将提供显着的教育增强参与该项目的本科生和研究生。这些学生将极大地受益于拟议工作固有的多学科性质;具有热科学背景的机械工程师将与CWRU和旧金山弗朗西斯科的电化学家和生物学家进行互动。

Proposal Number: CTS-0425106Principal Investigator: Alexis R. AbramsonAffiliation: Case Western Reserve UniversityProposal Title: SGER: Thermoelectrics in nature: Electrochemical and thermal measurements of extracellular shark gelThe goal of this Small Grant for Exploratory Research (SGER) is to explore a thermoelectric substance found in nature: a gel found below certain species of shark, Cetorhinus maximus, in which a voltage is generated in response to very small temperature gradients. The main objective of the project will be to determine why the shark gel exhibits unique thermoelectric properties. A better understanding of the involved phenomena could potentially lead to the design of better engineered thermoelectric materials for specific applications. Investigations will involve measurement of the thermal and electrical properties of the shark gel and atomic force microscopy imaging of the glycoprotein in the gel to provide information regarding its structure and form. The limited preliminary research conducted on this topic has been performed by researchers with a strong background in biology, but not by researchers with expertise in the areas of thermal/electrical transport or thermoelectrics. This research qualifies as exploratory because it investigates an unusual topic from a unique perspective; it ventures into potentially transformative research; it is likely to catalyze innovative advances; and it has the potential to make a significant impact on the field of thermoelectrics.The proposed activity stands to benefit society through the potential development of novel "smart" thermoelectric materials, and therefore energy conversion devices with no moving parts, that are environmentally benign, and that may be easily incorporated into small-scale technologies. If alternative materials tailored with superior thermoelectric properties can be developed, a revolution in energy conversion and generation and heat removal applications will undoubtedly ensue. Beyond the scientific benefit to society, a strong learning and teaching component, integral to the research objectives, will provide for significant educational enhancement for both undergraduate and graduate students involved in the project. These students will greatly benefit from the inherently multidisciplinary nature of the proposed work; mechanical engineers with a background in the thermal sciences will be interacting with faculty and students at CWRU and University of San Francisco who are electrochemists and biologists.