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RESEARCHJuly 28, 2008Heat-to-electricity efficiency doubledA new approach to improving thermoelectric materials -- metals or semiconductors that convert heat to electricity -- doubles the efficiency of a bulk thermoelectric material at temperatures typical of car engines.Although advances in nanotechnology have improved thermoelectrics, nanotech materials are difficult to mass produce. A method that instead taps a subatomic interaction doubles the efficiency of commercial lead telluride thermoelectrics at 440 to 930 degrees Fahrenheit. The method involves doping, or suffusing lead telluride with thallium. The interactions of thallium electrons and tellurium electrons in the material make the material absorb more heat energy. Thermoelectrics could be used to recover some of the energy lost as waste heat in internal combustion vehicles, factories and power plants. Research paper: Enhancement of Thermoelectric Efficiency in PbTe by Distortion of the Electronic Density of States Science, July 25, 2008 Researchers' homepages: Joseph P. Heremans Thermoelectrics, Caltech Energy and Enviromental Materials Laboratory, Osaka University Related stories and briefs: Better heat-to-electricity -- a nanotech thermoelectric material Silicon nanowires get a charge from heat -- a nanotech thermoelectric material Going nano boosts thermoelectrics -- a nanotech thermoelectric material Material boosts thermoelectricity -- a nanostructured thermoelectric material Back to ERN July 28/August 4, 2008 |
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