SBIR Phase I: Low Cost Self-Assembled Bulk Thermoelectric Materials

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段研究项目将通过商业上可行的制造工艺开发一种低成本的纳米复合自组装热电系统。在分子水平上对均匀度的控制决定了热电材料的最终性能，这是由分数ZT来量化的。只有通过严格控制分子沉积才能获得较高的优秀值(最好是2或更高)，这可以通过自组装工艺实现。自组装代表了一种快速、水基、室温下沉积分子均匀材料层的方法。这种协同制造方法将仅通过纳米结构材料获得的性能结合在一起，用于宏观结构部件。纳米结构、低成本、自组装热电材料的潜在应用包括远程发电、商业制冷和空调，以及电子和光学冷却。消费者和企业产品将通过更换使用氯氟化碳的冷却设备而受益。更换热电模块有助于为几乎所有制冷或空调应用提供环境友好、精确受控的热管理解决方案。热电模块还可以利用工业和私人运营产生的余热来为此类系统产生辅助电力。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I research project will develop a low-cost nano-composite self-assembled thermoelectric system via a commercially viable manufacturing process. Control of homogeneity at the molecular level dictates the ultimate performance of the thermoelectric material, which is quantified by the Figure of Merit, ZT. High values of the Figure of Merit (preferably 2 or greater) are only achievable by strict control of molecular deposition, which is attainable via self-assembly processing. Self-assembly represents a method for rapid, aqueous based, room temperature deposition of molecularly uniform material layers. This synergistic manufacturing approach combines properties obtained only via nano-structured materials for macro scale structural components. Potential applications of nano-structured, low-cost, self-assembled thermo-electrics include remote power generation, commercial refrigeration and air conditioning, and cooling for electronics and optics. Consumer and corporate products would benefit via replacement of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) based cooling units. Replacement with thermoelectric modules facilitates an environmentally friendly, precisely controlled thermal management solution for nearly any refrigeration or air conditioning application. Thermoelectric modules can also take advantage of waste heat generation from industrial and private operations to generate auxiliary power for such systems.