SWNT-CuS Nanohybrid Thermoelectric Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for generating electricity from optically and thermally responsive materials are limited in efficiency and require cooling or heat-sink components, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric generator comprising single-walled Carbon nanotubes linked non-covalently to Copper-Sulfur nanoparticles, which can absorb electromagnetic radiation and thermal energy to generate electricity without the need for cooling or heat-sink components, utilizing a configuration with temperature differences across leads to enhance power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional thermoelectric materials are used to generate electricity, then electricity generation is achieved, but cooling or heat-sink components are required which increase device complexity and reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the cooling/heat-sink components from the thermoelectric generator system. The nanohybrid material is designed to function without these auxiliary components, directly converting thermal energy to electrical energy through the thermoelectric effect while dissipating heat through the material structure itself, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite nanohybrid material consisting of carbon nanotubes integrated with copper chalcogenide nanoparticles. This composite structure combines the high electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes with the thermoelectric properties of copper chalcogenides, enabling efficient electricity generation without requiring separate cooling components.
2Power
If conventional thermoelectric materials are used, then electricity is generated, but efficiency is limited due to heat management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal and electrical parameters at the nanoscale by integrating copper chalcogenide nanoparticles into carbon nanotube structures. This nanoscale parameter modification enables enhanced thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) values, improving the conversion efficiency of thermal energy to electrical energy while managing heat flow at the fundamental level.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the thermoelectric material into a hierarchical structure with carbon nanotubes providing the structural framework and copper chalcogenide nanoparticles distributed throughout. This segmentation creates multiple pathways for charge carriers while maintaining thermal management, thereby improving overall conversion efficiency.
3Device complexity
If nanohybrid materials are used to eliminate cooling components, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses surfactants and functionalization agents as intermediary substances to facilitate the integration of copper chalcogenide nanoparticles with carbon nanotubes. These intermediaries enable controlled assembly and stable bonding at the nanoscale, making the manufacturing process more controllable and precise while maintaining the simplified device architecture.
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 solution effectively generates electricity from light, heat, or a combination of both, with enhanced optical and thermal switching characteristics, achieving increased current and power output without requiring cooling or heat-sink components, thus improving efficiency and scalability.
Implementation Method 1
which can absorb electromagnetic radiation and thermal energy to generate electricity
Implementation Method 2
A thermoelectric generator comprising single-walled Carbon nanotubes linked non-covalently to Copper-Sulfur nanoparticles, which can absorb electromagnetic radiation and thermal energy to generate electricity
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a configuration with temperature differences across leads to enhance power generation
Implementation Method 4
the apparatus may be configured such that: (i) the first lead is connected to the generator at a first junction having a first temperature; (ii) the second lead is connected to the generator at a second junction having a second temperature; and (iii) the first temperature at the first junction is different than the second temperature at the second junction
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods of generating electricity include using an optically and thermally responsive material comprising single-walled Carbon nanotubes and Copper sulfide nanoparticles. This material acts as a thermoelectric generator lacking rectifying effects. In some forms, the generator may generate electricity from a light source alone, a heat source alone, or a source of both light and heat. Some forms exhibit enhanced optical and thermal switching characteristics, light absorption, photocurrent and thermocurrent generation under light illumination or/and thermal radiation, providing a new route to obtain thermoelectricity without any cooling or heat-sink component. Moreover, measurements showed thin films of SWNT CuS NPs had significantly increased light absorption (up to 80%) compared to untreated SWNT thin films.