Thermoelectric materials convert heat into
electricity, which makes them extremely attractive for sustainable
energy production, especially given that industry can waste more
than two-thirds of its energy as heat. But mass production of
thermoelectric energy is currently limited by low-energy conversion
efficiency. Now, however, researchers Biswanath Dutta and Poulumi
Dey of TU Delft’s department of Materials Science and Engineering,
have not only been able to explain how nano-structures in
thermoelectric materials can improve energy efficiency, but also
propose a commercially attractive way to manufacture
nano-structured thermoelectric materials, increasing the chances
for mass production of thermoelectric energy. Their results were
published in Nano Energy.
More efficient conversion of heat into electricity by
tinkering with nanostructure
