FOCUSED SESSION 5: Materials for Thermoelectrics

Solid state power conversion devices, such as thermoelectrics and thermionics, depend solely upon the temperature gradients and the semiconductor charge carrier mechanisms for their operation. Thermoelectric devices offer the possibility of high efficiencies and reliability. New materials must be developed that can meet requirements under a number of environments and duty loads. In addition, new theoretical concepts, mechanisms, and manufacturing methods are needed to realize unique composite-based thermoelectric generators which exhibit far greater figures of merit than is now currently available. Computational sciences also afford researchers tools and methods to guide in the design, performance, and evaluation of non-traditional materials such as practical thermoelectric and thermionic devices.

The focus of this session is to convene leading global field experts to engage in ceramic technology-centered dialogues to address critical issues in the development of thermoelectric energy conversion devices. Researchers/scientists in thermoelectrics and all related fields are invited to participate in this symposium.

Proposed session topics

• Organic thermoelectric materials and hybrid systems.
• Novel theories which separate thermal/electrical transports mechanisms in thermoelectrics
• Thermal stability and mechanical properties of thermoelectric materials
• Physics-based novel interdisciplinary and composite materials with high figures of merit
• Design principles for thermoelectric modules and TEG devices
• Design new thermoelectric and thermionic materials using density functional theory or other first principles computational methods
• Novel processing for thermoelectric materials and devices
• System-level applications of advanced thermoelectric devices and modules
• Solid-state defect chemistry and mechanisms of thermoelectric materials
• Theoretical studies of bulk materials and low-dimensional nanostructures
• Materials for thermionic and thermovoltaic applications

 Symposium Organizers

• Jon Goldsby, NASA Glenn Research Center, USA
• Jing-Feng Li, Tsinghua University,  China,
• Lidong Chen, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, China,
• Masakazu Mukaida, AIST, Japan
• Michitaka Ohtaki, Kyushu University, Japan,
• Xinfeng Tang, Wuhan University of Technology, China

 Point of Contact

• Jon Goldsby: c.goldsby@nasa.gov