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Electronic transport simulations of thermoelectric nanostructures
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Foster, Samuel (2019) Electronic transport simulations of thermoelectric nanostructures. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.
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WRAP_Theses_Foster_2019.pdf - Submitted Version - Requires a PDF viewer. Download (5Mb) | Preview |
Official URL: http://webcat.warwick.ac.uk/record=b3473939~S15
Abstract
Thermoelectric materials have the unusual but highly desirable property of converting between heat and electricity. While their poor efficiencies have so far limited them to niche applications such as space exploration, they have great potential for waste heat recovery. Recent years have seen the demonstration of large performance improvements through the use of nanostructured materials. These materials have shown efficiency gains predominantly through dramatic decreases in the thermal conductivity, however it is desirable to achieve these thermal conductivity reductions without also impacting on the material’s electronic properties. For this, a high level of understanding of the electronic transport through such structures is needed.
This thesis uses a variety of simulation methods—ranging from the classical to the quantum mechanical and including a Monte Carlo simulator constructed as part of the work—to explore the electronic transport through nanostructured systems. We identify key optimization guidelines to maintain and even enhance the electronic transport in the presence of nanostructures. Most significantly we outline a new concept we term “clean filtering” which shows the potential to provide substantial increases in thermoelectric performance.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) | ||||
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Subjects: | Q Science > QC Physics T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering |
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Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Thermoelectricity, Heat recovery, Nanostructured materials, Waste heat | ||||
Official Date: | October 2019 | ||||
Dates: |
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Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | School of Engineering | ||||
Thesis Type: | PhD | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Supervisor(s)/Advisor: | Neophytou, Neophytos | ||||
Format of File: | |||||
Extent: | vii, iv, 5-138 leaves : illustrations | ||||
Language: | eng |
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