David Cortie, FLEET Scientific Associate Investigator, ANSTO/UOW
Julie Karel, FLEET Chief Investigator, Monash
Abdulhakim Bake, FLEET Research Fellow, UOW
Sheik Md Kazi Nazrul Islam, CERC postdoc Fellow, CSIRO Manufacturing
The Challenge
Novel materials designed from quantum chemical calculations based on Bi2Te3 topological insulators
Most of the power used in society is lost to the environment in the form of waste heat. Thermoelectric (TE) modules can convert waste heat gradients into useful electricity via the Seebeck effect. When run in reverse, such modules can also provide active cooling via the Peltier effect. Bi2Te3 is currently the dominant commercial thermoelectric material for Seebeck and Peltier modules, offering clear advantages over lead-based alternatives. Current n-type thermoelectrics based on Bi2Te3, however, have limited efficiency, and consequently, only niche applications of TE modules exist.
The Solution
Topological insulators (TIs) are a recently discovered type of quantum material. By enhancing the TI properties of Bi2Te3, it is possible to radically improve the performance of n-type thermoelectric materials.
Key Benefits
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Unique synthesis recipe based on scalable spark plasma sintering
High thermoelectric figure-of merit in both n-type and p-type variants
- Cost-effective, economic, scalable synthesis method for bulk thermoelectric leg components
Development Stage
- Cost-effective synthesis method developed for bulk TE materials with promising initial results.
- Demonstration of complete p-type and n-type modules. Seeking seed funding and strategic partners to optimise materials further
Brief Description & Differentiation
This FLEET translation project aimed to leverage the topological insulator properties of Bi2Te3 to allow a radical improvement in the n-type performance by decreasing the thermal conductivity and simultaneously increasing the electric power factor. We targeted a method for cost effective, scalable synthesis of bulk thermoelectric Bi2Te3 legs, compatible with existing power modules.
High performing n-type and p-type thermoelectric legs and simple proof-of-principle devices
We have developed a method to synthesize TE legs with a high thermoelectric performance, and good mechanical properties, which operate near room temperature.
Our method is compatible with the standard industrial production technique for TE legs (spark plasma sintering).
Intellectual Property
The intellectual property related to the bulk synthesis procedure belongs to the University of Wollongong.
Key Publications
- A. Nguyen et al. ‘Increased phase coherence length in a porous topological insulator’ Physical Review Materials 7 064202 (2023)
More information
- Contact Dr David Cortie, ANSTO/University of Wollongong david.cortie@uow.edu.au
- Contact Dr Julie Karel, Monash University julie.karel@monash.edu
