Recent Publications

Zintl Chemistry for Designing High Efficiency Thermoelectric Materials

in Chemistry of Materials

E. S. Toberer, A. F. May and G. J. Snyder ”Zintl Chemistry for Designing High Efficiency Thermoelectric Materials” Chemistry of Materials, (in press 2010)

 

High Efficiency in PbTe by the

Distortion of Electronic Density of States

in Science Magazine

J. P. Heremans, V. Jovovic, E. S. Toberer, A. Saramat, K. Kurosaki , A. Charoenphakdee, S. Yamanaka and G. J. Snyder Science 321, 554 (2008)

 

Review Article

Complex Thermoelectric Materials

in Nature Materials

Thermoelectric materials could have an important role in a global sustainable energy solution. The main challenge in the search for efficient materialsis to optimize the electrical transport while minimizing the thermal conductivity. Recent advances in thermoelectrics show the opportunities offered by the development of complex materials (for example, the nanostructured lamellae of PbTe and Sb2Te3 pictured) for use in high-efficiency devices.

G. J. Snyder, E. S. Toberer. Nature Materials 7, p 105 - 114 (2008)

 

Self-Assembled Nanometer Lamellae of Thermoelectric PbTe and Sb2Te3 with Epitaxy-like Interfaces

in Chemistry of Materials

T. Ikeda, L. Collins, V. A. Ravi, F. Gascoin, S. M. Haile and G. J. Snyder Chemistry of Materials 19(4) pp 763 - 767 (2007).

High Thermoelectric Efficiency found in

Yb14MnSb11 Zintl Phase

Susan M. Kauzlarich, Shawna R. Brown and G. Jeffrey Snyder "Zintl phases for thermoelectric devices" Dalton Transactions 2007, 2099 (2007).

Yb14MnSb11: New High Efficiency Thermoelectric Material for Power Generation
Shawna R. Brown, Susan M. Kauzlarich, Franck Gascoin, and G. Jeffrey Snyder
Chem. Mater. 18, 1873 (2006)

“Improved Thermoelectric Performance in Yb14Mn1-xZnxSb11 by the Reduction of Spin-Disorder Scattering” Chemistry of Materials, 20, 3412 (2008)

“Traversing the metal-insulator transition in a Zintl phase: Rational enhancement of thermoelectric efficiency in Yb14Mn1-xAlxSb11” Advanced Functional Materials, 18, 2795 (2008)

"High thermoelectric efficiency in lanthanum doped Yb14MnSb11" Applied Physics Letters, 93, 062110 (2008).

 

Interstitial Zn found in Zn4Sb3 in

Nature Materials

G. Jeffrey Snyder, Mogens Christensen, Eiji Nishibori, Thierry Caillat, Bo Brummerstedt Iversen "Disordered Zinc in Zn4Sb3 with Phonon Glass, Electron Crystal Thermoelectric Properties" Nature Materials, Vol 3, p 458-463 (2004)

 

Thermoelectric Efficiency and Compatibility in

Physical Review Letters

G. Jeffrey Snyder, Tristan Ursell. "Thermoelectric efficiency and compatibility"
Physical Review Letters, Vol 91 p. 148301 (2003)

 

 

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This website is intended for those interested in learning more about thermoelectrics, both as an introduction to the field as well as containing detailed reports of the recent developments at JPL/Caltech in thermoelectric physics, materials and devices, science and technology.

Our mission is to utilize advanced thermoelectric materials and engineer efficient thermal to electric energy conversion devices/systems.

Schematic of a typical thermoelectric device. N-type and p-type (Bi, Sb)2Te3 thermoelectric elements are sandwiched between two high thermal conductivity substrates. With alternating top and bottom interconnects, the n- and p-type elements are connected sequentially in series. The heat flow is from the top substrate to the bottom making all thermoelectric elements thermally in parallel. In cooling mode, an externally applied current forces the heat to flow from the top to the bottom. In power generation mode, heat flowing from the top to the bottom drives a current through an external load.

The Cassini spacecraft, which is orbiting Saturn, is the most ambitious effort in planetary space exploration ever mounted. Cassini is a sophisticated robotic spacecraft which will orbit the ringed planet and study the Saturnian system in detail over a four-year period. This mission would not be possible if it were not for thermoelectrics which convert radioisotope heat into electricity.

The Cassini-Huygens mission is composed of two elements: The Cassini orbiter that will orbit Saturn and its moons for four years, and the Huygens probe that dove into the murky atmosphere of Titan and land on its surface. The sophisticated instruments onboard these spacecraft provide scientists with vital data to help understand this mysterious, vast region.

Three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators -- commonly referred to as RTGs -- provide power for the spacecraft, including the instruments, computers, and radio transmitters on board, attitude thrusters, and reaction wheels.

The Power and Pyrotechnics Subsystem provides regulated 30 Volts DC electrical power to the spacecraft. The power is derived from the three Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) onboard. It is then conditioned and distributed to the powered spacecraft components.

REFERENCES
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm