"New thermoelectric material achieves remarkable 13% efficiency in transforming waste heat into electricity"
In a breaking news development, researchers from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have created a new balance material for thermoelectric performance that promises to revolutionise the conversion of waste heat into clean electricity. The research team, led by Dr Nan-Hai Li from the School of Chemistry and Physics at QUT, has demonstrated a prototype device that delivers an impressive conversion efficiency of over 13%. This high number is significant in the field of thermoelectric materials, making the new balance material one of the best current technologies for thermoelectric performance. The enhancement in conversion efficiency stems from band convergence and valence band flattening, a feat achieved without compromising the intrinsically low thermal conductivity. This balance is crucial for maximising the material's thermoelectric performance. The new balance material, made from manganese, silver, copper, and telluride, is also notable for its simplicity in production. Unlike many other options, this compound is easy to produce, making it a strong candidate for real-world use. Moreover, the new balance material does not rely on toxic elements, ensuring stability and safety. This is a significant advantage, as every day, huge amounts of heat from cars, factories, and power stations can be captured and turned into clean power using this material. The study, published in Energy & Environmental Science, achieved a high dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) of ∼1.88 at 773 K in p-type manganese-doped polycrystalline AgCuTe. The system yields superior thermoelectric performance and higher average ZT values than previously reported p-type AgCuTe materials. The research also highlights the effectiveness of electronic band structure engineering in enhancing the thermoelectric performance of superionic conductors. Manganese doping effectively optimises the electronic band structure to improve the power factor and simultaneously reduces lattice thermal conductivity through intensified lattice defects. Professor Prasad Kadambi and his research team at QUT were also involved in developing the new balance thermoelectric material. This promising development could pave the way for more efficient and sustainable energy solutions in the future.
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