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- Thermoelectric Materials
Thermoelectric materials convert heat into electricity or use electricity to create a temperature gradient for cooling. These properties make them valuable for energy harvesting, utilizing waste heat, and enabling solid-state cooling. With continuous advancements in material design and engineering, their role in sustainable energy solutions and high-efficiency thermal management continues to grow.
1) Simplified Band Structure Modeling: The Strength of SPB Theory
The Single Parabolic Band (SPB) model is a widely used approach in thermoelectric research due to its simplicity and computational efficiency. It assumes a parabolic energy dispersion with a single dominant band, providing a reliable first-order approximation for key properties like carrier transport, Seebeck coefficient, and electrical conductivity. Its low computational cost enables rapid material screening and parameter tuning, making it valuable for both theoretical studies and experimental analysis.
2) Band Structure Engineering in Thermoelectric Materials
Bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) and its selenium-doped variant are key thermoelectric materials, widely used for waste heat recovery and Peltier cooling due to their high efficiency near room temperature. Refining the band structure by tuning carrier concentration, effective mass, and scattering mechanisms are ways to achieve further enhanced performance. Key strategies include dopant selection for carrier concentration optimization, band convergence for improved transport, defect engineering for mobility modulation, and nanostructuring to reduce thermal conductivity. Ongoing advancements in fabrication and modeling continue to optimize materials for next-generation thermoelectric applications.
3) Oxide Thermoelectric Materials: Addressing High-Temperature Challenges
Some traditional thermoelectric materials degrade at high temperatures, but oxide thermoelectrics offer superior thermal stability and environmental friendliness. Through defect and dopant engineering, electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient improved, with materials like SrTiO3, CaTiO3 showing strong performance at elevated temperatures. Although oxide materials have lower carrier mobility, advanced strategies such as nanostructuring, interface engineering, and crystal modifications are enhancing their efficiency. With continued research, oxide thermoelectrics are emerging as a reliable solution for high-temperature energy conversion.
- Structural Ceramics: Advanced Materials for High-Strength Applications
Structural ceramics are engineered for exceptional strength, hardness, and wear resistance, making them ideal for ballistic plates, armored vehicles, and high-performance components. Compared to metals, they offer superior hardness and lightweight properties, enhancing impact resistance. Key materials like silicon carbide (SiC) and titanium diboride (TiB2) provide excellent mechanical strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. Microstructural engineering, including additive incorporation and grain refinement, improves fracture toughness and densification. With continued advancements in composition and processing, structural ceramics are evolving to meet the demands of high-strength applications.
- Dielectric Materials: Engineering for Enhanced Performance
Dielectric materials are essential in electronic components, especially in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), where high permittivity and reliability are critical. Barium titanate is widely used for its excellent dielectric properties, making it a key component in high-performance capacitors. To optimize performance, advanced surface defect engineering techniques, such as nucleation and growth control are applied to enhance grain boundary characteristics, reduce energy losses, and improve material stability. These innovations refine microstructural properties and pave the way for next-generation dielectric materials with superior electrical performance.