Problem
Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are materials that convert a heat gradient into electricity and have been contemplated by engineers for nearly two centuries. They are solid-state materials that do not require cooling fluid, fuel, or moving parts. Various designs have been built and implemented in society today. However, those designs are found in niche fields such as space exploration and remote research facilities where sunlight or other fuel may be hard to come by and moving pieces could be detrimental. Expanding this idea to more lucrative commercial applications has proved challenging.
Solution
The main issue to be addressed is the need to fashion a material with high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity. The efficiency metric of note for these devices is “ZT.” Today’s devices have a ZT of around 1. For most commercial applications, a ZT of around 3 will be necessary. Researchers at CU Boulder have theoretically designed a material to meet or exceed that efficiency metric and are actively working on reducing the invention to practice.
Dr. Mahmoud Hussein is the primary inventor, but many researchers across various disciplines at CU Boulder, Colorado School of Mines and NIST are also involved.
Market Application
If successful, commercial applications include waste heat recovery for the automotive industry, power plants, consumer electronics, and more. The market to is too ubiquitous to accurately calculate the potential value of this technology.
What's Next?
Research is funded and ongoing, however licensing partners and industry funding would be beneficial.
Joshua Bennett: joshua.bennett@colorado.edu
