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

提案编号：CTS-0425106首席研究员：Alexis R.Abramson隶属关系：凯斯西储大学提案标题：SGER：自然界中的热电学：细胞外鲨鱼凝胶的电化学和热学测量这一小额探索性研究拨款(SGER)的目标是探索自然界中发现的一种热电物质：一种发现在某些鲨鱼物种Cetorhinus max us下方的凝胶，在这种凝胶中，会对非常小的温度梯度产生电压。该项目的主要目标将是确定鲨鱼凝胶为什么表现出独特的热电性能。对相关现象的更好理解可能会导致为特定应用设计更好的工程热电材料。调查将包括测量鲨鱼凝胶的热学和电学性质，以及原子力显微镜成像凝胶中的糖蛋白，以提供关于其结构和形式的信息。关于这一主题的有限初步研究是由具有很强生物学背景的研究人员进行的，但不是由具有热/电运输或热电领域专业知识的研究人员进行的。这项研究具有探索性的资格，因为它从一个独特的角度调查了一个不寻常的主题；它冒险进入潜在的变革性研究；它可能催化创新进步；它有可能对热电领域产生重大影响。拟议的活动将通过潜在地开发新型的“智能”热电材料而造福社会，从而使没有移动部件的能量转换设备受益，这些设备对环境无害，并且可以很容易地融入小规模技术。如果能够开发出具有优异热电性能的替代材料，无疑将在能量转换、发电和散热应用方面发生一场革命。除了对社会的科学益处外，强大的学习和教学部分，作为研究目标的组成部分，将为参与该项目的本科生和研究生提供显著的教育促进。这些学生将从拟议工作固有的多学科性质中受益匪浅；具有热科学背景的机械工程师将与CWRU和旧金山大学的电化学和生物学家教职员工和学生互动。

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.