We propose four different models of three-terminal quantum dot thermoelectric devices. From general thermodynamic laws, we examine the rew;rsible efficiencies of the four different models. Based on the master equation...We propose four different models of three-terminal quantum dot thermoelectric devices. From general thermodynamic laws, we examine the rew;rsible efficiencies of the four different models. Based on the master equation, the expressions for the efficiency and power output are derived and the corresponding working regions are determined. Moreover, we particularly analyze the performance of a three-terminal hybrid quantum dot refrigerator. The performance characteristic curves and the optimal performance parameters are obtained. Finally, we discuss the influence of the nonradiative effects on the optimal performance parameters in detail.展开更多
Bismuth telluride-based devices are capable of converting low-quality thermal energy into electrical power via the Seebeck effect.This transformative process not only extends the spectrum of energy utilization but als...Bismuth telluride-based devices are capable of converting low-quality thermal energy into electrical power via the Seebeck effect.This transformative process not only extends the spectrum of energy utilization but also significantly amplifies energy efficiency.This review serves as a comprehensive guide,elucidating the intricate design considerations essential for optimizing bismuth telluride-based devices in both electrical and structural design.By exploring various application scenarios,it identifies critical parameters crucial for device effectiveness.Furthermore,the current landscape of thermoelectric(TE)devices is meticulously analyzed,synthesizing their developmental trajectory and contrasting it with stringent design requirements.Through this comprehensive analysis,it pinpoints key challenges that impede the maximal performance of existing TE devices.Envisioning the trajectory of bismuth telluride-based TE materials,this review makes projections regarding their future application trends.Traversing through contemporary mechanisms and technologies,it offers practical solutions and po-tential avenues aimed at enhancing the efficiency of TE devices.Ultimately,this discourse endeavors to provide invaluable insights,furnishing a roadmap for the advancement and refinement of TE devices in the years ahead.By proposing feasible solutions and charting plausible directions,it aspires to stimulate inno-vation and drive transformative progress in the domain of TE materials and science.展开更多
Our community currently deals with issues such as rising electricity costs,pollution,and global warming.Scientists work to improve energy harvesting-based power generators in order to reduce their impacts.The Seebeck ...Our community currently deals with issues such as rising electricity costs,pollution,and global warming.Scientists work to improve energy harvesting-based power generators in order to reduce their impacts.The Seebeck effect has been used to illustrate the capacity of thermoelectric generators(TEGs)to directly convert thermal energy to electrical energy.They are also ecologically beneficial since they do not include chemical products,function quietly because they lack mechanical structures and/or moving components,and may be built using different fabrication technologies such as three-dimentional(3D)printing,silicon technology,and screen printing,etc.TEGs are also position-independent and have a long operational lifetime.TEGs can be integrated into bulk and flexible devices.This review gives further investigation of TEGs,beginning with a full discussion of their operating principle,kinds,materials utilized,figure of merit,and improvement approaches,which include various thermoelectric material arrangements and utilised technologies.This paper also discusses the use of TEGs in a variety of disciplines such as automobile and biomedical.展开更多
Thermoelectric(TE)devices can realize the conversion of heat energy and electrical power based on Seebeck effect and Peltier effect.Among them,flexible TE devices have received more attention recently due to their bet...Thermoelectric(TE)devices can realize the conversion of heat energy and electrical power based on Seebeck effect and Peltier effect.Among them,flexible TE devices have received more attention recently due to their better attachment to various heat sources and aimed components with arbitrary shapes.To improve the performance of flexible TE devices for various application scenarios,large efforts have been made to design the leg patterns,the electrical and thermal contact issues,and the substrate and encapsulation materials for the decrease of heat loss.This paper is to review the advancements about the design of flexible inorganic TE devices over the last decade.Firstly,the design of flexible thin-film TE devices based on the direction of temperature gradient,including the patterns of TE legs,the fabrication methods,and the flexible substrate materials is summarized.Secondly,the design of wearable TE devices that contains common architecture of the module,the substrates and encapsulations,the electrical and thermal contact,and some thin-film based wearable devices with curving TE legs is demonstrated.Thirdly,the characterizations of the flexibility of TE devices and the current applications are outlined.Moreover,some views about the future development for TE devices are proposed.展开更多
Passive daytime radiative cooling(PDRC) is useful for thermal management because it allows an object to emit terrestrial heat into space without the use of additional energy.To produce sub-ambient temperatures under d...Passive daytime radiative cooling(PDRC) is useful for thermal management because it allows an object to emit terrestrial heat into space without the use of additional energy.To produce sub-ambient temperatures under direct sunlight,PDRC materials are designed to reduce their absorption of solar energy and to enhance their long-wavelength infrared(LWIR) emissivity.In recent years,many photonic structures and polymer composites have been studied to improve the cooling system of buildings.However,in cold weather(i.e. during winter in cold climates),buildings need to be kept warm rather than cooled due to heat loss.To overcome this limitation,temperature-responsive radiative cooling is a promising alternative.In the present study,adaptive radiative cooling(ARC) film fabricated from a polydimethylsiloxane/hollow SiO_(2) microsphere/thermochromic pigment composite was investigated.We found that the ARC film absorbed solar radiation under cold conditions while exhibiting radiative cooling at ambient temperatures above 40℃.Thus,in outdoor experiments,the ARC film achieved sub-ambient temperatures and had a theoretical cooling power of 63.2 W/m~2 in hot weather.We also demonstrated that radiative cooling with an energy harvesting system could be used to improve the energy management of buildings,with the thermoelectric module continuously generating output power using the ARC film.Therefore,we believe that our proposed ARC film can be employed for efficient thermal management of buildings and all-season energy harvesting in the near future.展开更多
Flexible thermoelectric devices(F-TEDs)show great potentials to be applied in curved surface for power generation by harvesting low-grade energy from human body and other heat sources.However,their power generation ef...Flexible thermoelectric devices(F-TEDs)show great potentials to be applied in curved surface for power generation by harvesting low-grade energy from human body and other heat sources.However,their power generation efficiency is constrained by both unsatisfactory constituent materials performance and immature device design.Here,we used an optimal alignment of vertically-aligned poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)polystyrene sulfonate(PEDOT:PSS)arrays to assemble a 2.7×3.2 cm^(2)F-TEDs,exhibiting a maximum power output of 10.5μW.Such a high performance can be ascribed to the outstanding power factor of 198μW m^(-1)K^(-2)by the synergetic effect of both high charge mobility and optimal oxidation level and the optimized array alignment that maximizes the temperature difference utilization ratio across the TE legs.Particularly,optimized leg distance of 6 mm and leg length of 12 mm are determined to realize a high temperature difference utilization ratio of over 95%and a record-high output power density of 1.21μW cm^(-2)under a temperature difference of 30 K.Further,reliable bending(1000 cycles)and stability(240 h)tests indicate the outstanding mechanical robustness and environmental stability of the developed F-TEDs.This study indicates our reasonable device design concept and facile material treatment techniques secure high-performance F-TEDs,serving as a reference for other flexible energy harvesting devices with wide practical applications.展开更多
Thin films and thin film devices have a ubiquitous presence in numerous conventional and emerging technologies. This is because of the recent advances in nanotechnology, the development of functional and smart materia...Thin films and thin film devices have a ubiquitous presence in numerous conventional and emerging technologies. This is because of the recent advances in nanotechnology, the development of functional and smart materials,conducting polymers, molecular semiconductors, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, and the employment of unique properties of thin films and ultrathin films, such as high surface area, controlled nanostructure for effective charge transfer, and special physical and chemical properties, to develop new thin film devices. This paper is therefore intended to provide a concise critical review and research directions on most thin film devices, including thin film transistors, data storage memory, solar cells, organic light-emitting diodes, thermoelectric devices, smart materials, sensors, and actuators. The thin film devices may consist of organic, inorganic, and composite thin layers, and share similar functionality, properties, and fabrication routes. Therefore, due to the multidisciplinary nature of thin film devices, knowledge and advances already made in one area may be applicable to other similar areas. Owing to the importance of developing low-cost, scalable, and vacuum-free fabrication routes, this paper focuses on thin film devices that may be processed and deposited from solution.展开更多
Improvement of the heat transfer of the cold side is one of the approaches to enhance the performance of TEG systems. As a new type of heat transfer media, nanofluids can enhance the heat transfer performance of worki...Improvement of the heat transfer of the cold side is one of the approaches to enhance the performance of TEG systems. As a new type of heat transfer media, nanofluids can enhance the heat transfer performance of working liquid signiticantly. Based on a three-dimensional and steady-state numerical model,the heat transfer and thermoelectric conversion properties of TEG systems were studied. Graphene anoplatelet aqueous nanoftuids were used as the coolants for the cold side of the TEG system to improve the heat transfer capacity of the cold side. The results showed that the heat absorbed by the hot side, voltage, output power, and conversion efficiency of the TEG system were increased greatly by the nanoftuid coolants. The output power and the conversion efficiency using 0.1-wt% graphene nanoplatelet aqueous nanofluid as the coolant are enhanced by 26.39% and 14.74%, respectively.展开更多
Bi(Te,Se)-based compounds have attracted lots of attention for nearly two centuries as one of the most successful commercial thermoelectric(TE)materials due to their high performance at near room tem-perature.Compared...Bi(Te,Se)-based compounds have attracted lots of attention for nearly two centuries as one of the most successful commercial thermoelectric(TE)materials due to their high performance at near room tem-perature.Compared with 3D bulks,2D thin films are more compatible with modern semiconductor technology and have unique advantages in the construction of micro-and nano-devices.For device applications,high average TE performance over the entire operating temperature range is critical.Herein,highly c-axis-oriented N-type Bi(Te,Se)epitaxial thin films have been successfully prepared using the pulsed laser deposition technology by adjusting the deposition temperature.The film deposited at~260℃demonstrate a remarkable average power factor(PFave)of~24.4 mW·cm^(-1)·K^(-2)over the tem-perature range of 305e470 K,higher than most of the state-of-the-art Bi(Te,Se)-based films.Moreover,the estimated average zT value of the film is as high as~0.81.We then constructed thin-film TE devices by using the above oriented Bi(Te,Se)films,and the maximum output power density of the device can reach up to~30.1 W/m^(2)under the temperature difference of 40 K.Predictably,the outstanding average TE performance of the highly oriented Bi(Te,Se)thin films will have an excellent panorama of applications in semiconductor cooling and power generation.展开更多
Magnesium-based materials have been regarded as promising candidates for large-scale,high-efficiency thermoelectric applications,owing to their excellent dimensionless figure of merit,high abundance,and low cost.In th...Magnesium-based materials have been regarded as promising candidates for large-scale,high-efficiency thermoelectric applications,owing to their excellent dimensionless figure of merit,high abundance,and low cost.In this review,we comprehensively summarize the recent advances of Mg-based thermoelectrics,including Mg_(2)X(X=Si,Ge,Sn),Mg3(Sb,Bi)_(2),andα-MgAgSb,from both material and device level.Their electrical and thermal transport properties are first elucidated based on the crystallographic characteristics,band structures,and phonon dispersions.We then review the optimization strategies towards higher thermoelectric performance,as well as the device applications of Mg-based thermoelectric materials and the related engineering issues.By highlighting the challenges and possible solutions in the end,this review intends to offer perspectives on the future research work to further enhance the performance of Mg-based materials for practical applications.展开更多
This paper presents an analytical solution for the thermoelastic stress in a typical in-plane＇s thin-film micro- thermoelectric cooling device under different operating con- ditions. The distributions of the permissi...This paper presents an analytical solution for the thermoelastic stress in a typical in-plane＇s thin-film micro- thermoelectric cooling device under different operating con- ditions. The distributions of the permissible temperature fields in multilayered thin-films are analytically obtained, and the characteristics, including maximum temperature dif- ference and maximum refrigerating output of the thermo- electric device, are discussed for two operating conditions. Analytical expressions of the thermoelastic stresses in the layered thermoelectric thin-films induced by the tempera- ture difference are formulated based on the theory of mul- tilayer system. The results demonstrate that, the geometric dimension is a significant factor which remarkably affects the thermoelastic stresses. The stress distributions in layers of semiconductor thermoelements, insulating and support- ing membrane show distinctly different features. The present work may profitably guide the optimization design of high- efficiency micro-thermoelectric cooling devices.展开更多
The thermoelectric(TE)materials and corresponding TE devices can achieve direct heat-to-electricity conversion,thus have wide applications in heat energy harvesting(power generator),wearable electronics and local cool...The thermoelectric(TE)materials and corresponding TE devices can achieve direct heat-to-electricity conversion,thus have wide applications in heat energy harvesting(power generator),wearable electronics and local cooling.In recent years,aerogel-based TE materials have received considerable attention and have made remarkable progress because of their unique structural,electrical and thermal properties.In this review,the recent progress in both organic,inorganic,and composite/hybrid TE aerogels is systematically summarized,including the main constituents,preparation method,TE performance,as well as factors affecting the TE performance and the corresponding mechanism.Moreover,two typical aerogel-based TE devices/generators are compared and analyzed in terms of assembly modes and output performance.Finally,the present challenges and some tentative suggestions for future research prospects are provided in conclusion.展开更多
A detailed model of thermally-driven combined thermoelectric(TE) heating device is established. The device consists of twostage TE heat pump(TTEH) and two-stage TE generator(TTEG) with four external heat exchangers(HE...A detailed model of thermally-driven combined thermoelectric(TE) heating device is established. The device consists of twostage TE heat pump(TTEH) and two-stage TE generator(TTEG) with four external heat exchangers(HEXs). Both internal losses and external heat transfer irreversibilities are considered in the model. The heating capacity and the coefficient of performance(COP) of the device are improved through numerical optimization,which is of great significance to the application of the device. The distribution of the total TE element number among four TE devices and the distribution of the total external heat conductance among the four external HEXs are optimized. The results show that both the reservoir temperatures of TTEG and TTEH have significant influences on the performance and the corresponding optimum parameters of the device. The COP can reach 0.14 after optimization when the temperature difference of heat source is 150 K and the temperature difference of heating is 10 K.展开更多
Based on the non-equilibrium thermodynamics and energy and exergy analyses,a thermodynamic model of two-stage thermoelectric(TE)cooler(TTEC)driven by two-stage TE generator(TTEG)(TTEG-TTEC)combined TE device is establ...Based on the non-equilibrium thermodynamics and energy and exergy analyses,a thermodynamic model of two-stage thermoelectric(TE)cooler(TTEC)driven by two-stage TE generator(TTEG)(TTEG-TTEC)combined TE device is established with involving Thomson effect by fitting method of variable physical parameters of TE materials.Taking total number of TE elements as constraint,influences of number distributions of TE elements on three device performance indictors,that is,cooling load,maximum COP and maximum exergetic efficiency,are analyzed.Three number distributions of TE elements are optimized with three maximum performance indictors as the objectives,respectively.Influences of hot-junction temperature of TTEG and coldjunction temperature of TTEC on optimization results are analyzed,and difference between optimization results corresponding to three performance indicators are studied.Optimal performance intervals and optimal variable intervals are provided.Influences of Thomson effect on three general performance indicators,three optimal performance indicators and optimal variables are comparatively discussed.Thomson effect reduces three general performance indicators and three optimal performance indicators of device.When hot-and cold-junction temperatures of TTEG and TTEC are 450,305,325 and 295 K,respectively,Thomson effect reduced maximum cooling load,maximum COP and maximum exergetic efficiency from 9.528 W,9.043×10^(-2)and2.552%to 6.651 W,6.286×10^(-2)and 1.752%,respectively.展开更多
The binary skutterudite CoSb_(3) is a narrow bandgap semiconductor thermoelectric(TE)material with a relatively flat band structure and excellent electrical performance.However,thermal conductivity is very high becaus...The binary skutterudite CoSb_(3) is a narrow bandgap semiconductor thermoelectric(TE)material with a relatively flat band structure and excellent electrical performance.However,thermal conductivity is very high because of the covalent bond between Co and Sb,resulting in a very low ZT value.Therefore,researchers have been trying to reduce its thermal conductivity by the different optimization methods.In addition,the synergistic optimization of the electrical and thermal transport parameters is also a key to improve the ZT value of CoSb_(3) material because the electrical and thermal transport parameters of TE materials are closely related to each other by the band structure and scattering mechanism.This review summarizes the main research progress in recent years to reduce the thermal conductivity of CoSb_(3)-based materials at atomic-molecular scale and nano-mesoscopic scale.We also provide a simple summary of achievements made in recent studies on the non-equilibrium preparation technologies of CoSb_(3)-based materials and synergistic optimization of the electrical and thermal transport parameters.In addition,the research progress of CoSb_(3)-based TE devices in recent years is also briefly discussed.展开更多
A thermodynamic model of a thermoelectric generator(TEG)-driven thermoelectric cooler(TEC) device considering Thomson effect and external heat transfer(HT) is established based on the combination of non-equilibrium an...A thermodynamic model of a thermoelectric generator(TEG)-driven thermoelectric cooler(TEC) device considering Thomson effect and external heat transfer(HT) is established based on the combination of non-equilibrium and finite time thermodynamic theories. The expressions of cooling capacity and coefficient of performance(COP) are obtained. Performances are compared with and without considering Thomson effect using numerical optimization method. The influences of Thomson effect on the optimal performances, optimum allocations of thermoelectric(TE) element number and HT surface area are discussed. The results indicate that Thomson effect decreases the maximum cooling capacity and COP. More TE elements should be allocated to TEG, and more HT area should be allocated to the heat exchanger(HEX) of TEG, the hot-side HEX of TEG and the cold-side HEX of TEC in the design of the device considering Thomson effect. The results obtained can be used to help design TEG-TEC devices.展开更多
Sorting out organic molecules with high thermopower is essential for understanding molecular thermoelectrics.The intermolecular coupling offers a unique chance to enhance the thermopower by tuning the bandgap structur...Sorting out organic molecules with high thermopower is essential for understanding molecular thermoelectrics.The intermolecular coupling offers a unique chance to enhance the thermopower by tuning the bandgap structure of molecular devices,but the investigation of intermolecular coupling in bulk materials remains challenging.Herein,we investigated the thermopower of diketopyrrolopyrrole(DPP)cored single-molecule junctions with different coupling strengths by varying the packing density of the self-assembled monolayers(SAM)using a customized scanning tunneling microscope break junction(STM-BJ)technique.We found that the thermopower of DPP molecules could be enhanced up to one order of magnitude with increasing packing density,suggesting that the thermopower increases with larger neighboring intermolecular interactions.The combined density functional theory(DFT)calculations revealed that the closely-packed configuration brings stronger intermolecular coupling and then reduces the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO)gap,leading to an enhanced thermopower.Our findings offer a new strategy for developing organic thermoelectric devices with high thermopower.展开更多
Leveraging advances in shape memory alloys(SMAs)and flexible thermoelectric devices(f-TEDs),this paper presents a structural and functional integrity composite sheet to address the inefficient and bulky activation of ...Leveraging advances in shape memory alloys(SMAs)and flexible thermoelectric devices(f-TEDs),this paper presents a structural and functional integrity composite sheet to address the inefficient and bulky activation of 2-D SMAs.A series of experimental tests were performed to reveal the generation,change,and transfer mechan-isms of different types of electrically-induced heat in the f-TED,as well as the temperature-induced SMA phase transformation beha-viors.The results show that the composite sheet exhibited good bidirectional thermal management capacity.The austenite defor-mation can be completed within 10s at an operating current of 2 A.The cooling recovery,in particular,performs much better than in conventional modes(the temperature declines exponentially with time).Finally,through two functional prototypes,a light switch and a flexible gripper,the application potential of the proposed com-posite was further experimentally demonstrated.展开更多
Quantum interference(QI)effects,which offer unique opportunities to widely manipulate the charge transport properties in the molecular junctions,will have the potential for achieving high thermopower.Here we developed...Quantum interference(QI)effects,which offer unique opportunities to widely manipulate the charge transport properties in the molecular junctions,will have the potential for achieving high thermopower.Here we developed a scanning tunneling microscope break junction technique to investigate the thermopower through single-molecule thiophene junctions.We observed that the thermopower of 2,4-TPSAc with destructive quantum interference(DQI)was nearly twice of 2,5-TP-SAc without DQI,while the conductance of the 2,4-TP-SAc was two orders of magnitude lower than that of 2,5-TP-SAc.Furthermore,we found the thermopower was almost the same by altering the anchoring group or thiophene core in the control experiments,suggesting that the QI effect is responsible for the increase of thermopower.The density functional theory(DFT)calculations are in quantitative agreement with the experimental data.Our results reveal that QI effects can provide a promising platform to enhance the thermopower of molecular junctions.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No 11365015
文摘We propose four different models of three-terminal quantum dot thermoelectric devices. From general thermodynamic laws, we examine the rew;rsible efficiencies of the four different models. Based on the master equation, the expressions for the efficiency and power output are derived and the corresponding working regions are determined. Moreover, we particularly analyze the performance of a three-terminal hybrid quantum dot refrigerator. The performance characteristic curves and the optimal performance parameters are obtained. Finally, we discuss the influence of the nonradiative effects on the optimal performance parameters in detail.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2023YFB3809400)the National Natural Science of China(U23A20553)+2 种基金the Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province(2022C01131 and 2021C01026)Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(LD22E020005)Shanxi-Zheda Institute of Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering(2022SZ-TD001).
文摘Bismuth telluride-based devices are capable of converting low-quality thermal energy into electrical power via the Seebeck effect.This transformative process not only extends the spectrum of energy utilization but also significantly amplifies energy efficiency.This review serves as a comprehensive guide,elucidating the intricate design considerations essential for optimizing bismuth telluride-based devices in both electrical and structural design.By exploring various application scenarios,it identifies critical parameters crucial for device effectiveness.Furthermore,the current landscape of thermoelectric(TE)devices is meticulously analyzed,synthesizing their developmental trajectory and contrasting it with stringent design requirements.Through this comprehensive analysis,it pinpoints key challenges that impede the maximal performance of existing TE devices.Envisioning the trajectory of bismuth telluride-based TE materials,this review makes projections regarding their future application trends.Traversing through contemporary mechanisms and technologies,it offers practical solutions and po-tential avenues aimed at enhancing the efficiency of TE devices.Ultimately,this discourse endeavors to provide invaluable insights,furnishing a roadmap for the advancement and refinement of TE devices in the years ahead.By proposing feasible solutions and charting plausible directions,it aspires to stimulate inno-vation and drive transformative progress in the domain of TE materials and science.
文摘Our community currently deals with issues such as rising electricity costs,pollution,and global warming.Scientists work to improve energy harvesting-based power generators in order to reduce their impacts.The Seebeck effect has been used to illustrate the capacity of thermoelectric generators(TEGs)to directly convert thermal energy to electrical energy.They are also ecologically beneficial since they do not include chemical products,function quietly because they lack mechanical structures and/or moving components,and may be built using different fabrication technologies such as three-dimentional(3D)printing,silicon technology,and screen printing,etc.TEGs are also position-independent and have a long operational lifetime.TEGs can be integrated into bulk and flexible devices.This review gives further investigation of TEGs,beginning with a full discussion of their operating principle,kinds,materials utilized,figure of merit,and improvement approaches,which include various thermoelectric material arrangements and utilised technologies.This paper also discusses the use of TEGs in a variety of disciplines such as automobile and biomedical.
基金The authors acknowledge financial support from the National Basic Research Program of China(No.2015CB932600)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2017YFA0208000)+7 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21525523,21802130,21874121,21722507 and 21574048)the National Key Basic Research Program of China(Nos.2014CB931801 and 2016YFA0200700,Z.Y.T.)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21475029 and 91427302,Z.Y.T.)Frontier Science Key Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.QYZDJ-SSW-SLH038,Z.Y.T.)Instrument Developing Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.YZ201311,Z.Y.T.)CAS-CSIRO Cooperative Research Program(No.GJHZ1503,Z.Y.T.)“Strategic Priority Research Program”of Chinese Academy of Sciences(No.XDA09040100,Z.Y.T.)K.C.Wong Education Foundation,and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China University of Geosciences(Wuhan)(No.CUG170669).
文摘Thermoelectric(TE)devices can realize the conversion of heat energy and electrical power based on Seebeck effect and Peltier effect.Among them,flexible TE devices have received more attention recently due to their better attachment to various heat sources and aimed components with arbitrary shapes.To improve the performance of flexible TE devices for various application scenarios,large efforts have been made to design the leg patterns,the electrical and thermal contact issues,and the substrate and encapsulation materials for the decrease of heat loss.This paper is to review the advancements about the design of flexible inorganic TE devices over the last decade.Firstly,the design of flexible thin-film TE devices based on the direction of temperature gradient,including the patterns of TE legs,the fabrication methods,and the flexible substrate materials is summarized.Secondly,the design of wearable TE devices that contains common architecture of the module,the substrates and encapsulations,the electrical and thermal contact,and some thin-film based wearable devices with curving TE legs is demonstrated.Thirdly,the characterizations of the flexibility of TE devices and the current applications are outlined.Moreover,some views about the future development for TE devices are proposed.
基金supported by the Industrial-linked Low-carbon Process Conversion Core Technology Development Program (RS2022-00155175)the Materials/Parts Technology Development Program (20022507) funded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE, Republic of Korea)the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) core project (SS2221-20)。
文摘Passive daytime radiative cooling(PDRC) is useful for thermal management because it allows an object to emit terrestrial heat into space without the use of additional energy.To produce sub-ambient temperatures under direct sunlight,PDRC materials are designed to reduce their absorption of solar energy and to enhance their long-wavelength infrared(LWIR) emissivity.In recent years,many photonic structures and polymer composites have been studied to improve the cooling system of buildings.However,in cold weather(i.e. during winter in cold climates),buildings need to be kept warm rather than cooled due to heat loss.To overcome this limitation,temperature-responsive radiative cooling is a promising alternative.In the present study,adaptive radiative cooling(ARC) film fabricated from a polydimethylsiloxane/hollow SiO_(2) microsphere/thermochromic pigment composite was investigated.We found that the ARC film absorbed solar radiation under cold conditions while exhibiting radiative cooling at ambient temperatures above 40℃.Thus,in outdoor experiments,the ARC film achieved sub-ambient temperatures and had a theoretical cooling power of 63.2 W/m~2 in hot weather.We also demonstrated that radiative cooling with an energy harvesting system could be used to improve the energy management of buildings,with the thermoelectric module continuously generating output power using the ARC film.Therefore,we believe that our proposed ARC film can be employed for efficient thermal management of buildings and all-season energy harvesting in the near future.
基金the financial support provided by the Australian Research CouncilHBIS-UQ Innovation centre for Sustainable Steel project+1 种基金QUT Capacity Building Professor Programthe China Scholarship Council for providing the Ph.D.stipend。
文摘Flexible thermoelectric devices(F-TEDs)show great potentials to be applied in curved surface for power generation by harvesting low-grade energy from human body and other heat sources.However,their power generation efficiency is constrained by both unsatisfactory constituent materials performance and immature device design.Here,we used an optimal alignment of vertically-aligned poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)polystyrene sulfonate(PEDOT:PSS)arrays to assemble a 2.7×3.2 cm^(2)F-TEDs,exhibiting a maximum power output of 10.5μW.Such a high performance can be ascribed to the outstanding power factor of 198μW m^(-1)K^(-2)by the synergetic effect of both high charge mobility and optimal oxidation level and the optimized array alignment that maximizes the temperature difference utilization ratio across the TE legs.Particularly,optimized leg distance of 6 mm and leg length of 12 mm are determined to realize a high temperature difference utilization ratio of over 95%and a record-high output power density of 1.21μW cm^(-2)under a temperature difference of 30 K.Further,reliable bending(1000 cycles)and stability(240 h)tests indicate the outstanding mechanical robustness and environmental stability of the developed F-TEDs.This study indicates our reasonable device design concept and facile material treatment techniques secure high-performance F-TEDs,serving as a reference for other flexible energy harvesting devices with wide practical applications.
基金Research funding from the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission in the framework of the oriental scholar and distinguished professor designationfunding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)
文摘Thin films and thin film devices have a ubiquitous presence in numerous conventional and emerging technologies. This is because of the recent advances in nanotechnology, the development of functional and smart materials,conducting polymers, molecular semiconductors, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, and the employment of unique properties of thin films and ultrathin films, such as high surface area, controlled nanostructure for effective charge transfer, and special physical and chemical properties, to develop new thin film devices. This paper is therefore intended to provide a concise critical review and research directions on most thin film devices, including thin film transistors, data storage memory, solar cells, organic light-emitting diodes, thermoelectric devices, smart materials, sensors, and actuators. The thin film devices may consist of organic, inorganic, and composite thin layers, and share similar functionality, properties, and fabrication routes. Therefore, due to the multidisciplinary nature of thin film devices, knowledge and advances already made in one area may be applicable to other similar areas. Owing to the importance of developing low-cost, scalable, and vacuum-free fabrication routes, this paper focuses on thin film devices that may be processed and deposited from solution.
基金supported by the Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51590902)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant N.51476095)+1 种基金the Program for Professor of Special Appointment(Young Eastern Scholar,QD2015052)at Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learningthe Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai(Grant No.14ZR1417000)
文摘Improvement of the heat transfer of the cold side is one of the approaches to enhance the performance of TEG systems. As a new type of heat transfer media, nanofluids can enhance the heat transfer performance of working liquid signiticantly. Based on a three-dimensional and steady-state numerical model,the heat transfer and thermoelectric conversion properties of TEG systems were studied. Graphene anoplatelet aqueous nanoftuids were used as the coolants for the cold side of the TEG system to improve the heat transfer capacity of the cold side. The results showed that the heat absorbed by the hot side, voltage, output power, and conversion efficiency of the TEG system were increased greatly by the nanoftuid coolants. The output power and the conversion efficiency using 0.1-wt% graphene nanoplatelet aqueous nanofluid as the coolant are enhanced by 26.39% and 14.74%, respectively.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51972094)Hebei Provincial Department of Science and Technology(206Z4403G)+1 种基金Innovation Team Project of Hebei University(No.150000321008,521201623004)supported in part by the Microanalysis Center and the High-Performance Computing Center of Hebei University.
文摘Bi(Te,Se)-based compounds have attracted lots of attention for nearly two centuries as one of the most successful commercial thermoelectric(TE)materials due to their high performance at near room tem-perature.Compared with 3D bulks,2D thin films are more compatible with modern semiconductor technology and have unique advantages in the construction of micro-and nano-devices.For device applications,high average TE performance over the entire operating temperature range is critical.Herein,highly c-axis-oriented N-type Bi(Te,Se)epitaxial thin films have been successfully prepared using the pulsed laser deposition technology by adjusting the deposition temperature.The film deposited at~260℃demonstrate a remarkable average power factor(PFave)of~24.4 mW·cm^(-1)·K^(-2)over the tem-perature range of 305e470 K,higher than most of the state-of-the-art Bi(Te,Se)-based films.Moreover,the estimated average zT value of the film is as high as~0.81.We then constructed thin-film TE devices by using the above oriented Bi(Te,Se)films,and the maximum output power density of the device can reach up to~30.1 W/m^(2)under the temperature difference of 40 K.Predictably,the outstanding average TE performance of the highly oriented Bi(Te,Se)thin films will have an excellent panorama of applications in semiconductor cooling and power generation.
基金financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52125103,52071041,12104071,11874356,U21A2054)。
文摘Magnesium-based materials have been regarded as promising candidates for large-scale,high-efficiency thermoelectric applications,owing to their excellent dimensionless figure of merit,high abundance,and low cost.In this review,we comprehensively summarize the recent advances of Mg-based thermoelectrics,including Mg_(2)X(X=Si,Ge,Sn),Mg3(Sb,Bi)_(2),andα-MgAgSb,from both material and device level.Their electrical and thermal transport properties are first elucidated based on the crystallographic characteristics,band structures,and phonon dispersions.We then review the optimization strategies towards higher thermoelectric performance,as well as the device applications of Mg-based thermoelectric materials and the related engineering issues.By highlighting the challenges and possible solutions in the end,this review intends to offer perspectives on the future research work to further enhance the performance of Mg-based materials for practical applications.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(2007CB607506)the Fok Ying-Tong Education Foundation for Young Teachers in the Higher Education Institutions of China(111005)the Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(11121202)
文摘This paper presents an analytical solution for the thermoelastic stress in a typical in-plane＇s thin-film micro- thermoelectric cooling device under different operating con- ditions. The distributions of the permissible temperature fields in multilayered thin-films are analytically obtained, and the characteristics, including maximum temperature dif- ference and maximum refrigerating output of the thermo- electric device, are discussed for two operating conditions. Analytical expressions of the thermoelastic stresses in the layered thermoelectric thin-films induced by the tempera- ture difference are formulated based on the theory of mul- tilayer system. The results demonstrate that, the geometric dimension is a significant factor which remarkably affects the thermoelastic stresses. The stress distributions in layers of semiconductor thermoelements, insulating and support- ing membrane show distinctly different features. The present work may profitably guide the optimization design of high- efficiency micro-thermoelectric cooling devices.
基金supported by Shenzhen Fundamental Research Program(Grant No.JCYJ20200109105604088)Distinguished Young Talents in Higher Education of Guangdong,China(Project No.2020KQNCX061)。
文摘The thermoelectric(TE)materials and corresponding TE devices can achieve direct heat-to-electricity conversion,thus have wide applications in heat energy harvesting(power generator),wearable electronics and local cooling.In recent years,aerogel-based TE materials have received considerable attention and have made remarkable progress because of their unique structural,electrical and thermal properties.In this review,the recent progress in both organic,inorganic,and composite/hybrid TE aerogels is systematically summarized,including the main constituents,preparation method,TE performance,as well as factors affecting the TE performance and the corresponding mechanism.Moreover,two typical aerogel-based TE devices/generators are compared and analyzed in terms of assembly modes and output performance.Finally,the present challenges and some tentative suggestions for future research prospects are provided in conclusion.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11974429 and 51576207)the Natural Science Foundation of Naval University of Engineering(Grant No.20161505)。
文摘A detailed model of thermally-driven combined thermoelectric(TE) heating device is established. The device consists of twostage TE heat pump(TTEH) and two-stage TE generator(TTEG) with four external heat exchangers(HEXs). Both internal losses and external heat transfer irreversibilities are considered in the model. The heating capacity and the coefficient of performance(COP) of the device are improved through numerical optimization,which is of great significance to the application of the device. The distribution of the total TE element number among four TE devices and the distribution of the total external heat conductance among the four external HEXs are optimized. The results show that both the reservoir temperatures of TTEG and TTEH have significant influences on the performance and the corresponding optimum parameters of the device. The COP can reach 0.14 after optimization when the temperature difference of heat source is 150 K and the temperature difference of heating is 10 K.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52171317)。
文摘Based on the non-equilibrium thermodynamics and energy and exergy analyses,a thermodynamic model of two-stage thermoelectric(TE)cooler(TTEC)driven by two-stage TE generator(TTEG)(TTEG-TTEC)combined TE device is established with involving Thomson effect by fitting method of variable physical parameters of TE materials.Taking total number of TE elements as constraint,influences of number distributions of TE elements on three device performance indictors,that is,cooling load,maximum COP and maximum exergetic efficiency,are analyzed.Three number distributions of TE elements are optimized with three maximum performance indictors as the objectives,respectively.Influences of hot-junction temperature of TTEG and coldjunction temperature of TTEC on optimization results are analyzed,and difference between optimization results corresponding to three performance indicators are studied.Optimal performance intervals and optimal variable intervals are provided.Influences of Thomson effect on three general performance indicators,three optimal performance indicators and optimal variables are comparatively discussed.Thomson effect reduces three general performance indicators and three optimal performance indicators of device.When hot-and cold-junction temperatures of TTEG and TTEC are 450,305,325 and 295 K,respectively,Thomson effect reduced maximum cooling load,maximum COP and maximum exergetic efficiency from 9.528 W,9.043×10^(-2)and2.552%to 6.651 W,6.286×10^(-2)and 1.752%,respectively.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51872006)High Level Doctoral Talent Program of Anhui University of Technology(DT17200008)National Undergraduate Training Programs for Innovation and Entrepreneurship(No.S201910360186).
文摘The binary skutterudite CoSb_(3) is a narrow bandgap semiconductor thermoelectric(TE)material with a relatively flat band structure and excellent electrical performance.However,thermal conductivity is very high because of the covalent bond between Co and Sb,resulting in a very low ZT value.Therefore,researchers have been trying to reduce its thermal conductivity by the different optimization methods.In addition,the synergistic optimization of the electrical and thermal transport parameters is also a key to improve the ZT value of CoSb_(3) material because the electrical and thermal transport parameters of TE materials are closely related to each other by the band structure and scattering mechanism.This review summarizes the main research progress in recent years to reduce the thermal conductivity of CoSb_(3)-based materials at atomic-molecular scale and nano-mesoscopic scale.We also provide a simple summary of achievements made in recent studies on the non-equilibrium preparation technologies of CoSb_(3)-based materials and synergistic optimization of the electrical and thermal transport parameters.In addition,the research progress of CoSb_(3)-based TE devices in recent years is also briefly discussed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51576207, and 11305266)the Natural Science Foundation of Naval University of Engineering (Greant No. 20161505)
文摘A thermodynamic model of a thermoelectric generator(TEG)-driven thermoelectric cooler(TEC) device considering Thomson effect and external heat transfer(HT) is established based on the combination of non-equilibrium and finite time thermodynamic theories. The expressions of cooling capacity and coefficient of performance(COP) are obtained. Performances are compared with and without considering Thomson effect using numerical optimization method. The influences of Thomson effect on the optimal performances, optimum allocations of thermoelectric(TE) element number and HT surface area are discussed. The results indicate that Thomson effect decreases the maximum cooling capacity and COP. More TE elements should be allocated to TEG, and more HT area should be allocated to the heat exchanger(HEX) of TEG, the hot-side HEX of TEG and the cold-side HEX of TEC in the design of the device considering Thomson effect. The results obtained can be used to help design TEG-TEC devices.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21722305,21933012,31871877)the National Key R&D Program of China(2017YFA0204902)+4 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province(2018J06004)Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences(BNLMS202010 and BNLMS202005)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(20720220020,20720220072,20720200068,20720190002)supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(EPSRC,EP/M014452/1,EP/P027156/1,and EP/N03337X/1)the European Commission,the Future and Emerging Technologies(FET)Open project 767187-QuIET and the European(EU)project Bac-to-Fuel.
文摘Sorting out organic molecules with high thermopower is essential for understanding molecular thermoelectrics.The intermolecular coupling offers a unique chance to enhance the thermopower by tuning the bandgap structure of molecular devices,but the investigation of intermolecular coupling in bulk materials remains challenging.Herein,we investigated the thermopower of diketopyrrolopyrrole(DPP)cored single-molecule junctions with different coupling strengths by varying the packing density of the self-assembled monolayers(SAM)using a customized scanning tunneling microscope break junction(STM-BJ)technique.We found that the thermopower of DPP molecules could be enhanced up to one order of magnitude with increasing packing density,suggesting that the thermopower increases with larger neighboring intermolecular interactions.The combined density functional theory(DFT)calculations revealed that the closely-packed configuration brings stronger intermolecular coupling and then reduces the highest occupied molecular orbital(HOMO)-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital(LUMO)gap,leading to an enhanced thermopower.Our findings offer a new strategy for developing organic thermoelectric devices with high thermopower.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.52075419.
文摘Leveraging advances in shape memory alloys(SMAs)and flexible thermoelectric devices(f-TEDs),this paper presents a structural and functional integrity composite sheet to address the inefficient and bulky activation of 2-D SMAs.A series of experimental tests were performed to reveal the generation,change,and transfer mechan-isms of different types of electrically-induced heat in the f-TED,as well as the temperature-induced SMA phase transformation beha-viors.The results show that the composite sheet exhibited good bidirectional thermal management capacity.The austenite defor-mation can be completed within 10s at an operating current of 2 A.The cooling recovery,in particular,performs much better than in conventional modes(the temperature declines exponentially with time).Finally,through two functional prototypes,a light switch and a flexible gripper,the application potential of the proposed com-posite was further experimentally demonstrated.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21722305,21933012,31871877)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2017YFA0204902)+4 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Nos.20720200068,20720190002)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai(No.20ZR1471600)the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(No.19DZ2271100)Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province(No.2018J06004)the Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences(No.BNLMS202005)。
文摘Quantum interference(QI)effects,which offer unique opportunities to widely manipulate the charge transport properties in the molecular junctions,will have the potential for achieving high thermopower.Here we developed a scanning tunneling microscope break junction technique to investigate the thermopower through single-molecule thiophene junctions.We observed that the thermopower of 2,4-TPSAc with destructive quantum interference(DQI)was nearly twice of 2,5-TP-SAc without DQI,while the conductance of the 2,4-TP-SAc was two orders of magnitude lower than that of 2,5-TP-SAc.Furthermore,we found the thermopower was almost the same by altering the anchoring group or thiophene core in the control experiments,suggesting that the QI effect is responsible for the increase of thermopower.The density functional theory(DFT)calculations are in quantitative agreement with the experimental data.Our results reveal that QI effects can provide a promising platform to enhance the thermopower of molecular junctions.
