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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Chiral edge state control of thermoelectric effects

Thermoelectric responses in two-dimensional electron gases subjected to magnetic fields have the potential to provide unique information about quasiparticle statistics. In this study, we show that chiral edge states play a key role in thermoelectric Hall bar measurements by completely controlling the direction of the internal thermal gradient. To this end, we perform measurements of the magnetothermoelectric responses of cadmium arsenide quantum wells. The magnetothermoelectric responses in the quantum Hall regime agree with theoretical predictions if one considers the role of chiral edge states, which flow in opposite directions on either side of the Hall bar and establish an internal temperature gradient that is perpendicular to the externally applied thermal gradient. We show that the results are self-consistent within this picture under different measurement conditions. We discuss potential applications of the findings, such as in nanoscale control of local temperature gradients and thermoelectric effects along with the characterization of other topological systems with chiral edges states.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2026

Simulation of the thermoelectric effect in a multi-metallic superconducting cavity

Superconducting radio-frequency accelerating cavities made with different material layers, such as copper, Nb or Nb₃Sn, are susceptible to thermoelectric effects due to differences in Seebeck coefficients between the metals. A temperature gradient across the surfaces can drive thermoelectric currents, which may impact the cavity performance. A layered Cu/Nb/Nb3Sn single-cell cavity was tested with cryocoolers in 2022. Three heaters were mounted on the cavity surface at different locations and three single-axis cryogenic fluxgate magnetometers were attached close to the cavity equator. A linear increase in the magnetic field was measured while increasing the heaters' power. The cavity setup was analyzed with COMSOL and the results showed a trend similar to that observed in the experiment. This contribution details the approach chosen for the simulation and some of the challenges encountered.

Accelerator Physics↗
DOE OSTI2021

Observation of nuclear-spin Seebeck effect

Thermoelectric effects have been applied to power generators and temperature sensors that convert waste heat into electricity. The effects, however, have been limited to electrons to occur, and inevitably disappear at low temperatures due to electronic entropy quenching. Here, we report thermoelectric generation caused by nuclear spins in a solid: nuclear-spin Seebeck effect. The sample is a magnetically ordered material MnCO 3 having a large nuclear spin ( I = 5/2) of 55 Mn nuclei and strong hyperfine coupling, with a Pt contact. In the system, we observe low-temperature thermoelectric signals down to 100 mK due to nuclear-spin excitation. Our theoretical calculation in which interfacial Korringa process is taken into consideration quantitatively reproduces the results. The nuclear thermoelectric effect demonstrated here offers a way for exploring thermoelectric science and technologies at ultralow temperatures.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Exchange-biased topological transverse thermoelectric effects in a Kagome ferrimagnet

Abstract Kagome metal TbMn 6 Sn 6 was recently discovered to be a ferrimagnetic topological Dirac material by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy measurements. Here, we report the observation of large anomalous Nernst effect and anomalous thermal Hall effect in this compound. The anomalous transverse transport is consistent with the Berry curvature contribution from the massive Dirac gaps in the 3D momentum space as demonstrated by our first-principles calculations. Furthermore, the transverse thermoelectric transport exhibits asymmetry with respect to the applied magnetic field, i.e., an exchange-bias behavior. Together, these features place TbMn 6 Sn 6 as a promising system for the outstanding thermoelectric performance based on anomalous Nernst effect.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2020

Quantized thermoelectric Hall effect induces giant power factor in a topological semimetal

Abstract Thermoelectrics are promising by directly generating electricity from waste heat. However, (sub-)room-temperature thermoelectrics have been a long-standing challenge due to vanishing electronic entropy at low temperatures. Topological materials offer a new avenue for energy harvesting applications. Recent theories predicted that topological semimetals at the quantum limit can lead to a large, non-saturating thermopower and a quantized thermoelectric Hall conductivity approaching a universal value. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the non-saturating thermopower and quantized thermoelectric Hall effect in the topological Weyl semimetal (WSM) tantalum phosphide (TaP). An ultrahigh longitudinal thermopower $$S_{xx} \sim 1.1 \times 10^3 \, \mu \, {\mathrm{V}} \, {\mathrm{K}}^{ - 1}$$ S x x ~ 1.1 × 1 0 3 μ V K − 1 and giant power factor $$\sim 525 \, \mu \, {\mathrm{W}} \, {\mathrm{cm}}^{ - 1} \, {\mathrm{K}}^{ - 2}$$ ~ 525 μ W cm − 1 K − 2 are observed at ~40 K, which is largely attributed to the quantized thermoelectric Hall effect. Our work highlights the unique quantized thermoelectric Hall effect realized in a WSM toward low-temperature energy harvesting applications.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Doping as a tuning mechanism for magnetothermoelectric effects to improve z T in polycrystalline NbP

Weyl semimetals combine topological and semimetallic effects, making them candidates for interesting and effective thermoelectric transport properties. Here, we present experimental results on polycrystalline NbP, demonstrating the simultaneous existence of a large Nernst effect and a large magneto-Seebeck effect, which is typically not observed in a single material at the same temperature. We compare transport results from two polycrystalline samples of NbP with previously published work, observing a shift in the temperature at which the maximum Nernst and magneto-Seebeck thermopowers occur, while still maintaining thermopowers of similar magnitude. Theoretical modeling shows how doping strongly alters both the Seebeck and Nernst magneto-thermopowers by shifting the temperature-dependent chemical potential, and the corresponding calculations provide a consistent interpretation of our results. Thus, we offer doping as a tuning mechanism for shifting magneto-thermoelectric effects to temperatures appropriate for device applications, improving zT at desirable operating temperatures. Furthermore, the simultaneous presence of both a large Nernst and magneto-Seebeck thermopower is uncommon and offers unique device advantages if the thermopowers are used additively. Finally, we also propose a unique thermoelectric device which would collectively harness the large Nernst and magneto-Seebeck thermopowers to greatly enhance the output and zT of conventional thermoelectric devices.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Beyond the four core effects: revisiting thermoelectrics with a high-entropy design

Low-exergy waste heat, which constitutes the majority of industrial-scale thermal losses, remains largely unrecoverable with conventional technologies. Thermoelectrics offer a solid-state solution for converting this hard-to-access energy into electricity, making them attractive for decentralized power generation and sensor applications. High-entropy materials (HEMs) have gained traction as a strategy for better-performing thermoelectrics, but the mechanisms driving their benefits require further exploration. This article highlights key insights for heat and electronic transport in HEMs. For heat transport, we argue that reduced, and often ultralow, lattice thermal conductivity in HEMs—with respect to ordered counterparts—can be taken for granted, emerging naturally as a fifth core effect of high-entropy systems. While band convergence is often considered beneficial for electronic transport, its impact depends strongly on the electronic structure. We summarize the scenarios where it can be detrimental to thermoelectric performance. These insights motivate strategies that align seamlessly with advancements in artificial intelligence and data-driven approaches, helping accelerate the discovery of next-generation thermoelectric materials.

Oses, Corey [Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (U↗
DOE OSTI2024

Robust giant anomalous Nernst effect in polycrystalline nodal web ferromagnets

The transverse thermoelectric effect based on the anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) has attracted attention, especially for thermoelectric and spintronic applications. Fe3X (X = Ga, Al) is known to exhibit a large ANE at room temperature owing to the topological electronic band structure so-called nodal web. Here, we systematically investigate ANE in the polycrystalline Fe3Ga1−xAlx and Fe3Al1−xSix. Despite significant chemical substitutions, a very robust feature of the large ANE −Syx∼ 5.7 μ V/K is found for Fe3Ga1−xAlx (0≲x≲0.6), exhibiting a striking x independent nodal web contribution. Since aluminum is more low-cost and abundant than gallium, our results indicate Fe3Ga1−xAlx (x∼0.6) should be suitable for large-scale thermoelectric applications.

Physics↗
DOE OSTI2025

Defect levels and self-compensation in iodine-doped CdTe single crystals

This study systematically documents defect levels in n-type iodine-doped cadmium telluride (CdTe:I) crystals as measured by thermoelectric effect spectroscopy, Hall-effect measurements, and photoluminescence and calculated by density functional theory. The primary donor, I Te , was identified with an activation energy of ∼0.05 eV (measured)/∼0.13 eV (calculated). Deep acceptor states, V Cd and I Te –V Cd complex, exhibited activation energies of ∼0.1 eV (measured)/∼0.19 eV (calculated) and ∼0.12 eV (measured)/∼0.24 eV (calculated), respectively. Self-compensation and Fermi level pinning were observed at ∼0.7 eV (measured)/∼1.08 eV (calculated), contributing to high resistivity in as-grown samples. Post-growth Cd annealing effectively removes compensation centers, releases iodine donors, and significantly reduces resistivity, resulting in an ideal n-type solar cell material.

Cd annealing↗
DOE OSTI2024

Transport coefficient sensitivities in a semi-analytic model for magnetized liner inertial fusion

Performance of magnetized liner inertial fusion (MagLIF) experiments is highly dependent on transport processes including magnetized heat flows and magnetic flux losses. Magnetohydrodynamic simulations used to model these experiments require a choice of model for the transport coefficients, which are the constants of proportionality relating driving terms, such as temperature gradients and currents, to the associated heat and magnetic field transport. The coefficients have been the subject of repeated recalculation using various methods throughout the years. Using a semi-analytic MagLIF model, we compare models for the transport coefficients. The choice of model modifies magnetic-flux losses caused by the Nernst thermoelectric effect and thermal conduction losses. We present simulated results from parameter scans conducted in order to compare the effects of the different models on parameters of interest in MagLIF. In some regions of parameter space, discrepancies of up to 38% are found in integrated quantities like the fusion yield. These results may serve as a guide for experimental validation of the various models, particularly as laser preheat energies and initial axial field strengths are increased on MagLIF experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Incorporation of GTR (generation–transport–recombination) in semiconductor simulations

With the emergence of phase change memory, where the devices experience extreme thermal gradients (~100 K/nm) during transitions between low and high resistive states, the study of thermoelectric effects at small scales becomes particularly relevant. We had earlier observed asymmetric melting of self-heated nano-crystalline silicon micro-wires, where current densities of ~10 7 A/cm 2 were forced through the wires by 1 μs, ~30 V pulses. The extreme asymmetry can be explained by the generation of considerable amount of minority carriers, transport under the electric field, and recombination downstream, a heat transfer process we termed as generation–transport–recombination, which is in opposite direction of the electronic-convective heat carried by the majority carriers. Here, we present a full semiconductor physics treatment of this carrier-lattice heat transport mechanism and the contribution of the minority carriers on the evolution of the melt–solid interface, which can be applied to various high-temperature electronic devices.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2021

Unconventional Thermoelectric Materials for Energy Harvesting and Sensing Applications

Heat is an abundant but often wasted source of energy. Thus, harvesting just a portion of this tremendous amount of energy holds significant promise for a more sustainable society. While traditional solid-state inorganic semiconductors have dominated the research stage on thermal-to-electrical energy conversion, carbon-based semiconductors have recently attracted a great deal of attention as potential thermoelectric materials for low-temperature energy harvesting, primarily driven by the high abundance of their atomic elements, ease of processing/manufacturing, and intrinsically low thermal conductivity. This quest for new materials has resulted in the discovery of several new kinds of thermoelectric materials and concepts capable of converting a heat flux into an electrical current by means of various types of particles transporting the electric charge: (i) electrons, (ii) ions, and (iii) redox molecules. This has contributed to expanding the applications envisaged for thermoelectric materials far beyond simple conversion of heat into electricity. This is the motivation behind this review. This work is divided in three sections. In the first section, we present the basic principle of the thermoelectric effects when the particles transporting the electric charge are electrons, ions, and redox molecules and describe the conceptual differences between the three thermodiffusion phenomena. In the second section, we review the efforts made on developing devices exploiting these three effects and give a thorough understanding of what limits their performance. In the third section, we review the state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials investigated so far and provide a comprehensive understanding of what limits charge and energy transport in each of these classes of materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Robust Heat-Flux Sensors for Coal-Fired Boiler Extreme Environments

In this project, robust heat-flux measurement systems were developed. The heat-flux sensors utilize thermoelectric effects to directly transduce the heat-flux inputs to analog electrical voltage signals. They were constructed from dedicated materials that can withstand temperatures of at least 1000°C and maintain adequate performance at these conditions for prolonged periods of time. The proposed approaches took into account numerous considerations, including system cost, sensor head resilience, sensor footprint, data accuracy, response time, and maintenance requirements. Through modern thermoelectric materials design, methodical materials selection and rigorous testing in materials characterization labs and medium-scale fire research facilities, we have demonstrated functioning laboratory prototypes, upon which one could base industrial heat-flux sensing platforms capable of operating in the challenging high-temperature, corrosive environments of the boilers of coal-fired power plants. A distributed sensor array for heat-flux measurements throughout the furnace water-wall, the superheater area and the economizer coils can provide critical data for the power plant control systems to increase efficiency, improve safety and reduce down times. For example, the combined heat-flux sensor/control systems can contribute to the optimization of burner and boiler operations under flexible loads, the optimization of heat-exchange conditions and overall reduction of heat rate and emissions, the prediction of imminent overheating conditions, and the optimization of the soot-blowing protocols.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2021

A robust high sensitivity scanning thermal probe for simultaneous microscale thermal and thermoelectric property mapping

Scanning Thermal Microscopy (SThM) provides efficient thermal property measurement with micro- or nanoscale spatial resolution. However, the sensitivity and accuracy of state-of-the-art thermal probes have been limited by excessive thermal contact resistance between the probe and sample. Introduced herein is a robust thermal microprobe that can increase the probe-sample contact force by more than two orders of magnitude, thereby reducing the probe-sample thermal contact resistance by as much as 96% and increasing measurement sensitivity by more than 240% compared to a commercial thermal probe with the same dimensions and measurement principle. The relationship between the probe-sample thermal contact resistance, thermal exchange radius, and sample thermal conductivity is determined experimentally. Simultaneous measurement of thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient with unprecedented sensitivity is demonstrated using the enhanced scanning thermal microprobe on samples of an extended range of thermal conductivity up to 18 W/m K, increasing the range of samples applicable to SThM when compared to the conventional commercial probe with diminished measurement sensitivity above ~10 W/m K. The probe is further demonstrated by simultaneously mapping thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient as a function of depth from the irradiated surface of an ion-irradiated bulk nanostructured thermoelectric material. In addition to enabling microscale thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient measurement of materials previously not applicable to SThM, the probe can also facilitate high-throughput characterization of combinatorial materials to aid the rapid discovery of compositions and processing conditions that yield highly desired thermal and thermoelectric properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Finding the order in complexity: The electronic structure of 14-1-11 zintl compounds

Yb 14 MnSb 11 and Yb 14 MgSb 11 have rapidly risen to prominence as high-performing p-type thermoelectric materials. However, the fairly complex crystal structure of A 14 MX 11 Zintl compounds renders the interpretation of the electronic band structure obscure, making it difficult to chemically guide band engineering and optimization efforts. In this work, we delineate the valence-balanced Zintl chemistry of A 14 MX 11 compounds using the molecular orbital theory. By analyzing the electronic band structures of Yb 14 MgSb 11 and Yb 14 AlSb 11 , we show that the conduction band minimum is composed of either an antibonding molecular orbital originating from the (Sb 3 ) 7– trimer or a mix of atomic orbitals of A, M, and X. The singly degenerate valence band is comprised of non-bonding Sb pz orbitals primarily from the Sb atoms in the (MSb 4 ) m– tetrahedra and of isolated Sb atoms distributed throughout the unit cell. Such a chemical understanding of the electronic structure enables strategies to engineer electronic properties (e.g., the bandgap) of A 14 MX 11 compounds.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2023

Roadmap on energy harvesting materials

Ambient energy harvesting has great potential to contribute to sustainable development and address growing environmental challenges. Converting waste energy from energy-intensive processes and systems (e.g. combustion engines and furnaces) is crucial to reducing their environmental impact and achieving net-zero emissions. Compact energy harvesters will also be key to powering the exponentially growing smart devices ecosystem that is part of the Internet of Things, thus enabling futuristic applications that can improve our quality of life (e.g. smart homes, smart cities, smart manufacturing, and smart healthcare). To achieve these goals, innovative materials are needed to efficiently convert ambient energy into electricity through various physical mechanisms, such as the photovoltaic effect, thermoelectricity, piezoelectricity, triboelectricity, and radiofrequency wireless power transfer. By bringing together the perspectives of experts in various types of energy harvesting materials, this Roadmap provides extensive insights into recent advances and present challenges in the field. Additionally, the Roadmap analyses the key performance metrics of these technologies in relation to their ultimate energy conversion limits. Building on these insights, the Roadmap outlines promising directions for future research to fully harness the potential of energy harvesting materials for green energy anytime, anywhere.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Exploring the $A$-V-Sb landscape beyond $A$$\mathrm{V_3}$ $\mathrm{Sb_5}$: A case study on the $\mathrm{KV_6}$ $\mathrm{Sb_6}$ Kagome compound

Kagome compounds have garnered attention in the past few years for their intriguing magnetic properties arising from spin frustration dictated by the geometry of the Kagome sublattice. In this paper, we highlight the success of the unconventional hydride route for the fast and easy synthesis of the Kagome compound $\mathrm{KV_6}$ $\mathrm{Sb_6}$. Here, high-temperature in situ powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies proved to be useful in hinting at the existence of $\mathrm{KV_6}$ $\mathrm{Sb_6}$, identifying its synthesis conditions, and understanding the reaction mechanism. The crystal structure for $\mathrm{KV_6}$ $\mathrm{Sb_6}$ was determined from high-resolution PXRD data. The compound has a layered structure [$R\overline{3}m, a = 5.5318$ (9) Å, $c = 34.23$ (3)Å 3 $Z = 3$] at room temperature] and features a Kagome bilayer of V atoms. $\mathrm{KV_6}$ $\mathrm{Sb_6}$ is isostructural to the previously reported $\mathrm{RbV_6}$ $\mathrm{Sb_6}$ and $\mathrm{CsV_6}$ $\mathrm{Sb_6}$ compounds. $\mathrm{KV_6}$ $\mathrm{Sb_6}$ is thermally stable in vacuum up to 1173 K, as evident from the high-temperature in situ PXRD and differential scanning calorimetric analysis. Investigation of magnetic properties for $\mathrm{KV_6}$ $\mathrm{Sb_6}$ between 2 and 300 K reveals temperature-independent paramagnetism and an absence of superconductivity, like the Rb and Cs analogs. Furthermore, we compare the magnetic properties of K V 3 Sb 5 , another ternary Kagome compound, synthesized via two different methods: the hydride route and the traditional route from elements. Low-temperature transport property measurements of $\mathrm{KV_6}$ $\mathrm{Sb_6}$ indicate metallic behavior and an intrinsically low thermal conductivity of $\mathrm{1.0 W K^-1}$ $\mathrm{m^-1}$ at 300 K. The layered structure of $\mathrm{KV_6}$ $\mathrm{Sb_6}$ makes it an attractive candidate for deintercalation and doping studies to tune both magnetic and transport properties, laying a foundation for further studies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗