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3. Characterization of Nanostructures for Efficient Thermoelectric Refrigeration and Power Generation
Background on Thermoelectric Energy Conversion: MRS Bulletin Theme Articles and Science Perspective
Graduate Student Researchers:
Sponsor: Office of Naval Research
Project Status: Current
Thermoelectric materials with high figure of merit can enable a wide range of clean and efficient energy conversion technologies, including solid state refrigeration, waste heat recovery from automobiles, efficient and cost-effective solar thermoelectric conversion systems made of thermoelectric power generators coupled with inexpensive solar concentrators. This research aims to investigate the effect of classical and quantum size confinements on thermoelectric transport in nanostructured materials. The experimental work is motivated and guided by theoretical calculations that have suggested high thermoelectric figure of merit in low-dimensional nanostructures. One objective of this work is to obtain thermoelectric measurement results of nanostructures for improving theoretical models of thermoelectric transport in nanostructures and for optimizing the nanostructures so as to increase the figure of merit for efficient thermoelectric energy conversion.
2. Catalyst Substrates with Nanoscale Features for Enhanced Reaction Activity
Graduate Student Researcher: Chad Baker
Collaboration: Prof. M. J. Hall (UT Austin)
Sponsor: Texas Hazardous Waste Research Center
Project Status: Current
1. Nanowire Composites for Energy Efficient Thermoelectric Refrigeration and Power Generation in Space Applications
Graduate Student Researcher: Feng Zhou
Collaborations: Dr. Laura Ye, Dr. Natalio Mingo, NASA Center for Nanotechnology & Eloret Corporation
Sponsor: NASA through Eloret Corporation
Project Status: Completed