Development of high performance thermoelectric materials for low to medium temperature range applications

Scientific excellence

Solid-state thermoelectric generators (TEG), which convert heat to electricity directly, are considered pioneer candidates for industrial waste heat recovery. However, existing thermoelectric (TE) materials have relatively low conversion efficiency. This project is the first attempt of this kind to improve the efficiency of bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3)-based TE materials, by modifying the chemistry of phases to engineer the electronic transport properties.

Aim/hypothesis

The aim of this project is to develop high performance Bi2Te3-based TE materials. Major developments on Bi2Te3 have been based on single-phase alloys, whereas our recent studies have shown higher efficiencies in multiphase TE compounds compared to the single-phase materials. However, quantitative information on the influence of heterogeneity (multiphase) on transport properties is still lacking. The principal goals of the current proposal can be split into designing high performance TE materials and incorporating them into devices.

Methodology

Materials fabrication: Samples will be fabricated to ingot by metallurgical procedures that are advantageous to those prepared by other techniques: It can be economically scaled up for industrial applications; Various nanostructures can be selectively designed through nucleation/growth or transformation.

Structural, analytical and physical charactrisation: The crystal structures of materials will be studied by X-Ray Diffraction and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Electron Microscopy (SEM/EDS, S/TEM/EELS) and Atom-Probe Techniques will provide chemical and microstructural information at nano/atomic scale to determine the influence of chemical heterogeneity on the resulting TE properties. The transport properties: Seebeck coefficient, resistivity, thermal conductivity and Hall coefficient will be measured with Ulvac–ZEM3, laser flash diffusivity and Ecopia-3000 respectively.

Fabrication of modules toward practical devices: The developed novel materials will be incorporated into prototype TEGs to test and evaluate efficiency, durability, etc.

Innovations

Designing and synthesis of novel high performance TE materials.

Adopting novel characterisation techniques using atomic scale imaging and spectroscopy.

Developing fundamental understanding of chemical heterogeneity on transport properties of multiphase TE materials.

Strategic relevance

The Bi2Te3 thermoelectric materials in the TEG market accounted for the largest share of ~ US$349M in 2017 and are projected to lead during the forecast period to 2023. This project provides international exchanges, knowledge transfer and directly addresses all four of SHU’s Transforming Lives strategy pillars, generating world-leading science that provides innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Interdisciplinarity and relevance

The researcher will benefit from working closely with an interdisciplinary team of supervisors (Materials science/TEGs (Sima), Electronic devices (Dharme), Multiphase heat transfer (Abhishek)), students and PDRA’s in MERI and at the university and industry partners. This project will strengthen existing collaborations to accelerate the work and maximize research outcomes. It will also develop fundamental understanding of composition/structure/property/phase relationships on electronic transport properties and provide a platform for high quality training of researchers in understanding challenges/breakthroughs in energy efficiency and harvesting.

Applications

Applicants must apply using the online form on the University Alliance website at https://unialliance.ac.uk/dta/cofund/how-to-apply/. Full details of the programme, eligibility details and a list of available research projects can be seen at https://unialliance.ac.uk/dta/cofund/

The final deadline for application is Monday 8 October 2018. There will be another opportunity to apply for DTA3 projects in the spring of 2019. The list of available projects is likely to change for the second intake.