@inproceedings{2610c030729d42dcb31386b0bc5dffc3,
title = "Enhancement of thermoelectric figure-of-merit by a nanostructure approach",
abstract = "The dimensionless thermoelectric figure-of-merit (ZT) in bulk materials has remained about 1 for many years. Here we show that a significant ZT improvement can be achieved in nanocrystalline bulk materials. These nanocrystalline bulk materials were made by hot- pressing nanopowders that are ball-milled from either crystalline ingots or elements. Electrical transport measurements, coupled with microstructure studies and modeling, show that the ZT improvement is the result of low thermal conductivity caused by the increased phonon scattering by grain boundaries and defects. More importantly, the nanostructure approach has been demonstrated in a few thermoelectric material systems, proving its generosity. The approach can be easily scaled up to multiple tons. Thermal stability studies have shown that the nanostructures are stable at the application temperature for an extended period of time. It is expected that such enhanced materials will make the existing cooling and power generation systems more efficient.",
author = "Ren, {Z. F.} and B. Poudel and Y. Ma and Q. Hao and Lan, {Y. C.} and A. Minnich and A. Muto and J. Yang and B. Yu and X. Yan and Wang, {D. Z.} and Liu, {J. M.} and Dresselhaus, {M. S.} and G. Chen",
year = "2009",
doi = "10.1557/proc-1166-n04-03",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "9781605111391",
series = "Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings",
publisher = "Materials Research Society",
pages = "83--93",
booktitle = "Materials and Devices for Thermal-to-Electric Energy Conversion",
note = "2009 MRS Spring Meeting: Materials and Devices for Thermal-to-Electric Energy Conversion ; Conference date: 13-04-2009 Through 17-04-2009",
}