DS02 - Energie, propre, sûre et efficace

Investigations of three-dimensional thermoelectric nanomaterials – 3D-ThermoNano

Submission summary

Thermoelectricity has seen a renewed emphasis in the last decade due to significant advances in materials nano-fabrication processes with improved performances. This growing interest is reinforced by the fact that the solid-state thermoelectric (TE) devices can convert waste heat from sources such as power plants, motor vehicles, computers or human bodies to electric power using the Seebeck effect and then contribute to a sustainable development.
Candidate materials have to exhibit large Seebeck coefficients, reduced thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity. The thermal conductivity (TC) has two components, the lattice component TCL and the electronic component TCE, the latter being proportional to ? according to the Wiedemann–Franz law. Over the past decade, most progresses in thermoelectric materials have been made by reducing lattice thermal conductivity through the surface and interfaces scattering of phonons of nanostructured materials. While of the electronic transport is maintained leading to an enhancement of the global thermoelectric efficiency. Nano-structuring for thermoelectric purposes was then adopted for different low-dimensional geometries.
The project 3D-ThermoNano is devoted to the fabrication and the characterization of 3D low dimensional thermoelectric materials. This work is a part of the innovations aimed at improving the energy efficiency of thermoelectric materials through their nanostructuring. The experimental approach is based on complementary skills of three laboratories and will focus on the elaboration of 3D template via two approaches: the colloidal lithography and the 2 photon lithography combined with electrochemical deposition. For both, the effective thermal conductivities are expected to be lower than that of the bulk solid, as is the case for metallic foams and for low dimensional films due to phonon scattering at the interfaces. The modelling of the thermal transport and the design of the 3D structures will be performed according analytical calculations and FEM simulations. Another key point is the final use of IV VI semiconductors, more abundant than Bi2Te3. The outcome of this work should be the synthesis of optimized and friendly environmentally thermoelectric components for sensor applications or local cooling micro devices in the electronics industry.

Project coordination

Nicolas STEIN (Institut Jean Lamour (Matériaux - Métallurgie - Nanosciences - Plasmas - Surfaces))

The author of this summary is the project coordinator, who is responsible for the content of this summary. The ANR declines any responsibility as for its contents.

Partner

IJL Institut Jean Lamour (Matériaux - Métallurgie - Nanosciences - Plasmas - Surfaces)
LEMTA Laboratoire d'Energétique et de la Mécanique Théorique et Appliquée

Help of the ANR 201,679 euros
Beginning and duration of the scientific project: October 2017 - 48 Months

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