Thermal Transport and Energy Conversion in Thermoelectric Nanocomposite Materials

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0933763VashaeeThis award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).Thermoelectric materials have the potential to directly convert waste heat into electrical energy. Nanocomposite bulk thermoelectric materials can be fabricated quickly and inexpensively, and in a form that is compatible with existing thermoelectric device configurations. Unfortunately, existing theory of thermoelectricity is not able to predict correctly the thermoelectric properties of such structures, and often hundreds of samples might need to be grown and measured, in the quest to identify optimum nanostructures in terms of high efficiency and low cost.Intellectual Merit: This proposal aims to develop a capability to predict the relevant properties of thermoelectric nanocomposite materials. A nonequilibrium Green?s function technique will be developed to account for the natural coupling of scattering of phonons and electrons, as well as other quantum effects. Issues such as crystal orientation and strain will be accounted for to determine their effects on the bulk thermoelectric properties. Model predictions will be compared with measurements of thermoelectric properties of synthesized nanocomposites to optimize the nanoscale features of the material, the material composition, the doping concentration(s), and the material processing parameters to improve the efficiency of such inexpensive thermoelectric materials.Broader Impact: Development of highly efficient, inexpensive thermoelectric materials is a key to reduce both energy consumption and harmful emissions on a large scale. The research will be integrated into new graduate courses to be developed at Oklahoma State-Tulsa. Undergraduate students will be involved in the research. Recruitment of students from underrepresented groups in conjunction with the Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance will be pursued. Participation in an educational program at the Tulsa Children?s Museum for K12 students will occur.