Software Technology for Improved in merit and production method for thermoelectric material

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. (KR) INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY (KR)

A nanocomposite including: a nanoplatelet of thermoelectric material; and a metal nanoparticle disposed on the nanoplatelet of thermoelectric material.

1. Field

The invention reveals an extremely efficient thermoelectric material and a method of producing it.

2. Description of Related Art

The thermoelectric effect is the reversible and direct energy conversion between electricity and heat. It is caused by the transfer of electrons and holes within the material.

The thermoelectric effect may be classified into a Peltier effect as well as an Seebeck effect, in which the Peltier effect allows cooling by using a temperature difference between the ends of a thermoelectric material . It is generated through an applied current andthe Seebeck effect produces power by an electromotive force that is generated by a temperature difference between ends of the thermoelectric material.

Thermoelectric materials are used to cool electronic gadgets as well as semiconductor equipment. Passive cooling systems might not provide the appropriate thermal management. The demand for thermoelectriccooling is expanding into other cooling applications, such as precision temperature control for DNA synthesis, and the like, where providing suitable thermal control is difficult using a coolant gas compression system.

Thermoelectric cooling employs an extremely low-noise, non-vibration and eco-friendly cooling technique that does not use any gases used in cooling that could be harmful to the environment. Therefore, if a high efficiency thermoelectric cooling material is created that provides enhanced cooling efficiency, the application of thermoelectrics can be extended into general purpose cooling , such as air conditioning, refrigeration and similar.

Furthermore, if a thermoelectric material is positioned in an area where heat is released for example, a heat-generating part in an automobile engine or industrial plant, electricity can be produced. The technology is highlighted as a renewable energy source that is new.

Thermoelectric energy generation is utilized in space probes that are operating Mars and Saturn, where solar energy isn’t available.

Nonetheless, there remains the need for an improved thermoelectric material.

An embodiment is a nanocomposite type thermoelectric material with an improved value figure.

Another embodiment describes a procedure to produce the nanocomposite type thermoelectric material.

A nanocomposite is described in accordance with one embodiment. It consists of the thermoelectric nanoplatelet, as well as a metal nanoparticle that is placed on the thermoelectric nanoplatelet.

The metal nanoparticle can be placed on the surface of the thermoelectric nanoplatelet.

Nanoplatelet is a thermoelectric material that can be used in the form of an alloy-type thermoelectric material particularly an alloy-type material that has a chemical formula of A.sub.2M.sub.3.

The chemical formula of A.sub.2M.sub.3, A may be Bi, and M may be selected from Se, Te and a mixture of them.

A metal nanoparticle may contain a mixture of metals from Group 4 through Group 14 or an alloy of these.

In a different embodiment, described is a method for producing the nanocomposite disclosed above in which the method comprises offering a solution comprising an amorphous material called a nanoplatelet heating the solution, contacting theheated solution with a reducing agent; and contacting a product of the heated solution using an ingredient for forming an iron nanoparticle in order to create the nanocomposite.

A bulk thermoelectric material, which also includes the nanocomposite discussed above, is a different embodiment.

Another embodiment provides a method for producing the thermoelectric material. This includes placing the nanocomposite mentioned above into a mold; pressure sintering of nanocomposite in order to create the thermoelectric materials.

Click here to view the patent on USPTO website.

 

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