• Thermoelectric Materials

    The thermoelectric effect, discovered in 1823 by Seebeck, is finding more applications than ubiquitous thermocouples. FIG.1 is a schematics of an electric generator using a thermoelectric semiconductor. It can be used to extract electric power from waste heat by keeping the p-n junctionside of the U-shaped devices hot and the other side cold. We have been focusing on the development of metallic silicide thermoelectric materials, using MA and SPS. By fine tuning the microstructure, especially its grain size, and by appropriate doping, it is possible to maximize the efficiency of the power generation.

Back to Research Index
Back to top