Cu-Se Halogen Thermoelectric Material Broad Temperature Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermoelectric conversion materials lack optimized performance across a broad temperature range, limiting their application in various fields where temperature conditions vary.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric material expressed by Chemical Formula Cu x Se 1-y X y, where X is F, Cl, or I, with 2<x≤2.6 and 0<y<1, is synthesized by mixing Cu, Se, and CuX, followed by thermal treatment and pressure sintering, enhancing electrical conductivity and reducing thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional thermoelectric materials are used, then they can operate in specific temperature ranges, but their thermoelectric conversion performance is not optimized across broad temperature ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining Cu-Se base material with halogen elements (F, Cl, Br, or I) to create a multi-component thermoelectric material Cu-xSe1-yXy. This composite structure allows the material to maintain stable thermoelectric conversion performance across a broad temperature range from 50K to 500K, resolving the contradiction between temperature range adaptability and performance reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the composition parameters (x and y in Cu-xSe1-yXy) and thermal treatment conditions (temperature and time) to optimize thermoelectric performance. By adjusting these parameters, the material achieves high ZT values across different temperature ranges, enabling broad temperature adaptability while maintaining reliable conversion performance.
2Reliability
If thermoelectric conversion performance is improved for specific temperature ranges, then performance is optimized for that range, but performance deteriorates in other temperature ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a thermoelectric material Cu-xSe1-yXy that can function effectively across multiple temperature ranges (50K to 500K). The halogen element substitution creates a versatile material structure that maintains optimized thermoelectric performance regardless of operating temperature, allowing single material to serve multiple temperature conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing thermoelectric materials are applied to various fields with different temperature conditions, then they can be widely applied, but their conversion efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials combining Cu-Se with halogen elements to create a thermoelectric material with high conversion efficiency across various application fields. The composite structure enables the material to maintain low thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity simultaneously, reducing energy loss while being adaptable to different temperature conditions in various applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The material exhibits improved thermoelectric conversion performance, maintaining stability across a broad temperature range, particularly from 50°C to 500°C, and can be used in devices like thermoelectric power generators, solar cells, and IR sensors.
Implementation Method 1
The thermoelectric conversion power generation is a method which generates power by converting thermal energy to electrical energy using a thermoelectromotive force generated by creating a temperature difference in a thermoelectric conversion element.
Implementation Method 2
the thermoelectric conversion cooling is a method which produces cooling by converting electrical energy to thermal energy using an effect that a temperature difference creates between both ends of a thermoelectric conversion element when a direct current flows through the both ends of a thermoelectric conversion element.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a thermoelectric material with excellent thermoelectric conversion performance. The thermoelectric material is expressed by Chemical Formula 1 below: <Chemical Formula 1> CuxSe1-yXy where X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br and I, 2<x≤2.6 and 0<y<1.