Cu-Se Thermoelectric Material with Nano-Dots for Broad Temperature ZT

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermoelectric materials exhibit low ZT values at temperatures lower than 600°C, making them unsuitable for thermoelectric power generation, as they do not maintain high performance across a broad temperature range.

Innovation Solution

A thermoelectric material comprising a Cu—Se matrix with Cu-containing particles, including induced nano-dots, is developed, where the particles are spontaneously formed during sintering and aggregated at grain boundaries, enhancing the material's thermal diffusivity and Seebeck coefficient.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermoelectric material is designed for high temperature operation, then high ZT value is achieved, but material cannot maintain performance across broad temperature range (100-600°C)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermoelectric performance at high temperatureVSAvoidtemperature range adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies compositional parameters (stoichiometry ratios and element composition) to optimize the material's electronic and thermal transport properties, enabling high ZT value maintenance across the broad temperature range from 100°C to 600°C

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs a thermoelectric material with universal performance characteristics that can operate effectively across diverse temperature conditions, making it suitable for multiple applications from low-temperature waste heat recovery to high-temperature power generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves a high ZT value across a broad temperature range of 100°C to 600°C, outperforming traditional thermoelectric materials, ensuring stable thermoelectric conversion performance even at low temperatures.

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSeebeck effect: Seebeck Effect

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

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9761777B2Thermoelectric materials

Publication Date: 2017.09.12 LG CHEM LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a thermoelectric conversion material having excellent performance. The thermoelectric material according to the present disclosure includes a matrix including Cu and Se, and Cu-containing particles.