A New Class of High Z Nanocrystalline and Textured Oxide-Based Thermoelectric Material, Phase I

We propose to develop high figure of merit (ZT) oxide-based thermoelectric materials. This will be accomplished by engineering a novel microstructure that will lead to reduced lattice thermal conductivity, a large Seebeck coefficient and high electronic conductivity. A new processing route to achieve the desired microstructure is proposed, which builds upon our core competency in nanomaterials synthesis and processing. The proposed oxide materials can be used at higher temperatures than currently available non-oxide based thermoelectrics. The Phase I effort, a collaboration with a leading thermoelectrics research group in the United States, will demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating a dense oxide leg with high ZT and conversion efficiency at elevated temperatures. Prototype thermoelectric devices using p- and n- oxide legs will be fabricated and tested, and efforts will be undertaken to transition the technology into the commercial arena, especially in industrial waste heat recovery.

With the advent of thermoelectric coolers and heaters for consumer applications, thermoelectric devices now have the potential to be used in technologically challenging applications, such as recovering industrial waste heat and utilization of waste heat in automotives. These applications demand low cost and durable materials that can be used at high temperature and in the presence of oxidizing/reducing environment. The proposed program will address this market need. Metal-based thermoelectric materials are currently used in RTGs in NASA spacecraft. The service life is fairly long since thermoelectric devices have no moving parts. Thermoelectric devices generate clean energy with high power density, and are easily scalable. The proposed program to develop novel oxide-based thermoelectric materials will enhance the capability of current RTGs, including allowing higher operating temperatures.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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