Improving Efficiency In Thermoelectric Materials: 3D Printing and the Linseis System
School Name
South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics
Grade Level
12th Grade
Presentation Topic
Chemistry
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
TE (thermoelectric) materials generate electricity from obtaining a temperature gradient, or vice versa. As such, possible applications include efficient cooling with minimal electricity, or extensive power generation using heat. If utilized, most waste heat from traditional energy generation could be preserved and reused as electricity. But, TE materials are currently inefficient. The measure for the capacity for these materials to convert between electricity and heat is ZT, the "figure of merit." Most TE materials have a ZT of ~1-2, but for them to be useful, they would need a ZT of ~3-4. So: how to raise ZT? As for methodology in this research, acquiring a ZT value requires a Linseis device (thermal analysis machine) to measure all viable parameters (Seebeck coefficient, resistance, resistivity, and temperature gradient). Then, the Linseis device calculates a ZT value. Modifying TE materials changes ZT. First introducing p- and n-type doping into common TE materials (by adding impurities on a nanoscale: ball milling), then 3D Printing identical disks from different polymers and combining with the doped materials, led to differences in ZT. Specifically, we found results of ZT values in the lower range (0.5, 1.5) for many polymers, but doped graphene yielded a ZT of 2.34. Although the best result is not useful in industry (ZT of 2.34 is not ~3-4), the methodology of using TE materials with 3D Printing allows for others to test new TE materials faster (Linseis requires disks to test), allowing for better improvements of ZT in the field.
Recommended Citation
Ortiz, Patricio, "Improving Efficiency In Thermoelectric Materials: 3D Printing and the Linseis System" (2020). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 175.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2020/all/175
Location
Furman Hall 108
Start Date
3-28-2020 2:00 PM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
Improving Efficiency In Thermoelectric Materials: 3D Printing and the Linseis System
Furman Hall 108
TE (thermoelectric) materials generate electricity from obtaining a temperature gradient, or vice versa. As such, possible applications include efficient cooling with minimal electricity, or extensive power generation using heat. If utilized, most waste heat from traditional energy generation could be preserved and reused as electricity. But, TE materials are currently inefficient. The measure for the capacity for these materials to convert between electricity and heat is ZT, the "figure of merit." Most TE materials have a ZT of ~1-2, but for them to be useful, they would need a ZT of ~3-4. So: how to raise ZT? As for methodology in this research, acquiring a ZT value requires a Linseis device (thermal analysis machine) to measure all viable parameters (Seebeck coefficient, resistance, resistivity, and temperature gradient). Then, the Linseis device calculates a ZT value. Modifying TE materials changes ZT. First introducing p- and n-type doping into common TE materials (by adding impurities on a nanoscale: ball milling), then 3D Printing identical disks from different polymers and combining with the doped materials, led to differences in ZT. Specifically, we found results of ZT values in the lower range (0.5, 1.5) for many polymers, but doped graphene yielded a ZT of 2.34. Although the best result is not useful in industry (ZT of 2.34 is not ~3-4), the methodology of using TE materials with 3D Printing allows for others to test new TE materials faster (Linseis requires disks to test), allowing for better improvements of ZT in the field.
