Developing High-Performance Thermal Energy Harvesting System

从环境热梯度和/或波动中获取有用的电能是非常重要的。通常，直接热电能量转换是基于塞贝克效应。然而，热短路限制了能量转换效率。为了开发先进的能量收集系统，我们将研究使用纳米多孔材料的新概念，这是我们实验室最近开发的。如果将两个纳米孔电极置于不同的温度下，它们就会吸收不同数量的离子，从而产生净输出电压。热驱动的离子运动产生瞬态电流。两个电极是隔离的；也就是说，它们之间的直接热损失是最小的。该研究不仅将导致高性能热能收集系统的发展，而且还将阐明电物理的基本原理。纳米孔表面通电的热效应是一个新兴的科学研究领域。该研究将导致纳米环境中经典电物理理论的建立。更广泛的影响这项资助也将为作者提供重要的支持。美国的教学努力。实验录像和可视化计算机模拟模块将用于一些本科和研究生课程，以及一系列的研讨会，对课程有相当大的影响。将鼓励女学生和代表性不足的少数民族参加研讨会和参加课程。本科生和研究生都将积极参与项目并获得全面的实践研究经验。

Intellectual MeritHarvesting useful electric energy from ambient thermal gradients and/or fluctuations is immensely important. Usually, direct thermoelectric energy conversion is based on the Seebeck effect. However, thermal shorting limits the energy conversion efficiencyTo develop advanced energy harvesting systems, a novel concept using nanoporous materials, which was recently developed in our lab, will be investigated. If two nanoporous electrodes are placed at different temperatures, they absorb different amounts of ions, generating a net output voltage. The thermally driven ion motion causes a transient current. The two electrodes are isolated; that is, the direct heat loss between them is minimized. The proposed study will not only lead to the development of high-performance thermal energy harvesting systems, but also shed light on fundamentals of electrophysics. The thermal effect on surface electrification in nanopores is a new scientific area. The research will lead to the establishment of counterparts of classic electrophysics theories for nanoenvironment. Broader ImpactsThis grant will also provide an important support to the author?s pedagogical efforts. Video of experiments and visualized computer simulation modules will be used in a number of undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as in a series of seminars, having considerable impact on the curriculum. Female students and under-represented minorities will be encouraged to attend the seminars and take the courses. Both undergraduate and graduate students will be actively involved in the project and acquire comprehensive hands-on research experience.