Thermoelectric materials can directly convert temperature differences into electric voltage and vice versa. Thermoelectrics finds applications in many places, such as the automotive industry, space exploration, electronics cooling, wearable technology, etc. When applying a temperature gradient, a good thermoelectric material can hold it longer (low thermal conductivity) and quickly produce a larger voltage difference (low electrical resistivity and a high Seebeck coefficient). The thermoelectric figure of merit, the ratio of the Seebeck coefficient squared times temperature to resistivity times thermal conductivity, quantifies the conversion efficiency of a material. Optimization of micro-structural (grain size, pore density, etc.) or band structure properties (carrier concentration, the density of states effective mass, band convergence, etc.) helps decouple the adversely interdependent material properties (electrical resistivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity) and leads to enhanced thermoelectric conversion efficiency. My research interests include finding new materials or tailoring existing ones for better thermoelectric performance. Gaining deeper insights into the electronic and thermal transport mechanisms within these materials can unlock new possibilities and directions for advancements in thermoelectric research.
Research Highlights