NER: Exploring Thermoelectric Energy Conversion in Nanostructure Assemblies

NER：探索纳米结构组件中的热电能量转换本项目的目标是：(1)使用纳米结构材料的新概念增强热电性能，(2)开发低维热电能量转换设备的制造和测试策略。研究了零维纳米结构对纳米团簇组件热电优值的影响，这种技术适用于各种材料体系和结构。纳米簇组件是基于单分散元素和化合物纳米簇的0-D系统，其尺寸在1-10 nm之间，覆盖有自组装单层（SAMs），并使用不同长度和功能的SAMs分层组装。利用增强的量子约束和纳米团簇与分子连接器之间的声失配效应来最大化热电优值。为了实现第二个目标，热电能量转换装置由不同纳米结构材料之间的结组成。p型和n型纳米团簇之间形成平面结。碳纳米管和金属纳米线之间的结是利用最近设计的选择性纳米管生长工艺形成的。或者，使用氧化铝模板和金属电沉积来创建这些结。开发了扫描探针和电自加热和测温技术，并用于评估制造结的珀尔帖效应。更广泛的影响：这种多学科的方法导致了对影响热电性能的尺寸限制的关键方面的理解，并为纳米团簇在该领域的使用铺平了道路。该项目还将为未来的纳米级能量转换设备提供制造和测试策略。碳纳米管金属异质结可用于纳米温度/辐射传感器和纳米热泵，为基于碳纳米管的器件和电子产品提供了全新的应用范围。该项目积极涉及由NSF-REU暑期项目和伦斯勒URP项目资助的本科生研究人员

NER: Exploring Thermoelectric Energy Conversion in Nanostructured AssembliesThe objectives of this project are: (1) the enhancement of the thermoelectric figure of merit using a new concept of nanostructured materials, and (2) the development of strategies for fabrication and testing of low-dimensional thermoelectric energy-conversion devices. The influence of zero-dimensional nanostructures on the thermoelectric figure of merit in nanocluster assemblies grown by a versatile technique applicable to a wide variety of material systems and configurations is studied. The nanoclustered assemblies are 0-D systems based on monodisperse elemental and compound nanoclusters between 1-10 nm in size capped with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and assembled in layered configurations using SAMs of different lengths and functionalities. The enhanced quantum confinement and the acoustic mismatch effects between the nanoclusters and the molecular connectors are employed to maximize the thermoelectric figure of merit. To address the second objective, thermoelectric energy-conversion devices are fabricated comprised of junctions between dissimilar nanostructured materials. Planar junctions are formed between films of p-type and n-type nanocluster assemblies. Junctions are formed between carbon nanotubes and metal nanowires using a recently devised selective nanotube growth process. Alternatively, alumina templates and metal electrodeposition are used to create these junctions. Scanning probe and electrical self-heating and thermometry techniquesare developed and used to assess the Peltier effect of the fabricated junctions.Broader Impact: This multidisciplinary approach leads to an understanding of key aspects of dimensional confinement that impact thermoelectric properties, and paves the way for use of nanoclusters in this area. The project will also provides fabrication and testing strategies for future nanoscale energy-conversion devices. CNT-metal hetero-junctions could be employed as nanoscale temperature/radiation sensors and nano-heat pumps, presenting a whole new range of applications for carbon-nanotube-based devices and electronics. The project actively involves undergraduate researchers funded through a NSF-REU summer program and the Rensselaer URP program