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Thermoelectric Materials

Next-Generation Thermoelectric Materials

Our engineers conduct research and development of novel thermoelectric materials. In 2001, our work resulted in the first significant breakthrough in thermoelectrics in 40 years with novel nanoscale materials called superlattices. We work with government and commercial clients and collaborate with leading manufacturers of thermoelectric devices that incorporate these materials for military and commercial markets.

Our thermoelectric material is both more efficient and faster than existing thermoelectric materials. Devices made with these materials offer improved efficiency at small temperature differentials, high cooling power density, and high-speed heat pumping, exploiting the advantages of microelectronic wafer scalability, high-performance materials, and fast response.

Related Research

• Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting
• Thermoelectric Cooling Technologies
• Thermoelectric Power Generation and Energy Efficiency
• Thermal Management
• Optoelectronic and Photovoltaic Devices
  

Research Citations

• Lowhorn, N.D., Wong-Ng, W., Zhang, W., Lu, Z.Q., Otani, M., Thomas, E., Green, M., Tran, T.N., Dilley, N., Ghamaty, S., Elsner, N., Hogan, T., Downey, A.D., Jie, Q., Li, Q., Obara, H., Sharp, J., Caylor, C., & et al. (2009). Round-robin measurements of two candidate materials for a Seebeck coefficient Standard Reference Material. Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing , 94 (2):231-234. Abstract | DOI:
• Lu, Z.Q.J., Lowhorn, N.D., Wong-Ng, W., Zhang, W., Thomas, E.L., Otani, M., Green, M.L., Tran, T.N., Caylor, C., Dilley, N.R., Downey, A., Edwards, B., Elsner, N., Ghamaty, S., Hogan, T., Jie, Q., Li, Q., Martin, J., Nolas, G., Obara, H., Sharp, J., & et al. (Jan 2009). Statistical analysis of a round-robin measurement survey of two candidate materials for a Seebeck coefficient standard reference material. Abstract | External Link
• Wang, Y.G., Xu, X.F., & Venkatasubramanian, R. (2008 Sept 15). Reduction in coherent phonon lifetime in Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 superlattices. Applied Physics Letters, 93 (11):113114. Abstract | DOI:
• Lee, M.L., & Venkatasubramanian, R. (2008 Feb 04). Effect of nanodot areal density and period on thermal conductivity in SiGe/Si nanodot superlattices. Applied Physics Letters, 92 (5):053112. Abstract | External Link | DOI:
• Wu, A.Q., Xu, X., & Venkatasubramanian, R. (2008 Jan 07). Ultrafast dynamics of photoexcited coherent phonon in Bi2Te3 thin films. Applied Physics Letters, 92 (1):011108. Abstract | External Link | DOI:
• Caylor, J.C., Coonley, K.D., Stuart, J.R., Colpitts, T., & Venkatasubramanian, R. (2005). Enhanced thermoelectric performance in PbTe-based superlattice structures from reduction of lattice thermal conductivity. Applied Physics Letters, 87 (023105). Abstract | External Link | DOI:
• Venkatasubramanian, R., Siivola, E., Colpitts, T., & O'Quinn, B. (2001). Thin-film thermoelectric devices with high room-temperature figures of merit. Nature, 413 (6856):597-602. Abstract | External Link | News Release | RTI Author Award | DOI:
• Venkatasubramanian R et al. (2010). Trans-thermoelectric device. U.S. Patent No. 7,838,760. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Venkatasubramanian R et al. (2009). Thermoelectric generators for solar conversion and related systems and methods. U.S. Patent No. 7,638,705. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
• Venkatasubramanian R (2008). Phonon blocking, electron-transmitting low-dimensional structures. U.S. Patent No. 7,342,169. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.