CAREER: Towards Engineering Thermal Transport in Nanostructured Based Devices

在这项工作中，新的实验技术正在开发，以调查在纳米结的电能到热能的转换和有效的热传输性能的载流器件与纳米尺寸的接口，如超晶格纳米线和纳米晶薄膜结。寻求使用应力、应变和温度退火来设计纳米结构材料和/或纳米结的输运性质的策略。这些发现将用于设计和制造高效的热电能量转换器件，高导热性碳纳米管复合材料和低接触电阻的纳米结。一种多学科的方法正在导致对纳米材料和纳米器件传输的关键方面的理解，在设计高效的热电发电机和可靠的碳纳米管基纳米电子器件方面可能取得突破。具体的研究活动与一个全面的教育和推广计划相结合，旨在针对各种年龄组和科学专业知识的参与者。

In this work new experimental techniques are being developed to investigate electric-to-thermal energy conversion at nanojunctions and the effective thermal transport properties across current-carrying devices with nanosize interfaces, such as superlattice nanowires and nanowire-thin film junctions. Strategies to engineer the transport properties of nanostructured materials and/or nanojunctions using stress, strain, and temperature annealing are sought. The findings will be used to design and fabricate efficient thermoelectric energy-conversion devices, high thermal-conductivity carbon-nanotube composites, and nanojunctions with low electrical contact resistance. A multidisciplinary approach is leading to an understanding of key aspects of transport in nanomaterials and nanodevices with potential breakthroughs in designing efficient thermoelectric power generators and reliable carbon-nanotube-based nanoelectronics. The specific research activity is integrated with a comprehensive program of education and outreach designed to target participants over a wide range of age groups and scientific expertise.