US 7,309,830 B2 · Nanostructured bulk thermoelectric material

Abstract

A thermoelectric material comprises two or more components, at least one of which is a thermoelectric material. The first component is nanostructured, for example as an electrically conducting nanostructured network, and can include nanowires, nanoparticles, or other nanostructures of the first component. The second component may comprise an electrical insulator, such as an inorganic oxide, other electrical insulator, other low thermal conductivity material, voids, air-filled gaps, and the like. Additional components may be included, for example to improve mechanical properties. Quantum size effects within the nanostructured first component can advantageously modify the thermoelectric properties of the first component. In other examples, the second component may be a thermoelectric material, and additional components may be included.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A thermoelectric device, comprising:

a first electrical contact;
a second electrical contact;
and
a thermoelectric bulk material located within an electrical path between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact, the thermoelectric bulk material including:
a first powdered component having a particulate form, the first powdered component being electrically conducting;
a second powdered component having a particulate form, the second powdered component having an electrical conductivity substantially less than the first powdered component,
the first and second powdered components retaining the particulate form in the bulk thermoelectric material;
the thermoelectric bulk material being a composite including nanostructures of the first powdered component,
wherein the first component is a metal.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Nanostructured bulk thermoelectric material

Life of this patent

Nanostructured bulk thermoelectric material

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18