Functionally graded organic thermoelectric materials and uses thereof
AssigneeThe University of Chicago
InventorsShrayesh N. Patel, Tengzhou Ma, William F. Kent, Garrett K. Grocke
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to functionally graded thermoelectric materials including an organic conducting polymer. In particular, the material includes a molecular dopant that can be spatially distributed in a controlled pattern within the material. Methods of making such materials and devices including such materials are also described herein.
Claims32
A functionally graded thermoelectric material comprising:
- an organic conducting polymer;
- and
- a molecular dopant, wherein the molecular dopant is spatially distributed within the polymer in a continuous manner along at least about 20% of a dimension of the material.
A device comprising at least one thermoelectric element, wherein the thermoelectric element comprises:
- a first interconnect and a second interconnect, wherein each of the first and second interconnects comprise, independently, a conductive material;
- and
- a functionally graded thermoelectric material that is electrically connected to the first and second interconnects,
- wherein the functionally graded thermoelectric material comprises an organic conducting polymer and a molecular dopant, and
- wherein the molecular dopant is spatially distributed within the polymer in a continuous manner along at least about 20% of a dimension of the material.
A method of making a functionally graded thermoelectric material, the method comprising:
- introducing a molecular dopant to an organic conducting polymer, wherein the molecular dopant is in a vapor form, and wherein the molecular dopant is spatially distributed within the polymer in a continuous manner along at least about 20% of a dimension of the material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.