Graded thermoelectric materials

US10797215B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Boris Russ · Berkeley, US
• David Brown · Helsinki, FI
• Jared Lynch · Berkeley, US
• Tristan Day · Menlo Park, US
• Nelson E. Coates · Oakland, US
• Ayaskanta Sahu · Berkeley, US
• Jason D. Forster · Berkeley, US
• Jeffrey Snyder · Pasadena, US
• Jeffrey J. Urban · Emeryville, US
• Rachel A. Segalman · Pleasanton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 1, 2016
• Grant date: Oct 6, 2020
• Expiry date: Apr 6, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10N10/852

Abstract

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to graded thermoelectric materials. In one aspect, a method includes providing a plurality of nanostructures. The plurality of nanostructures comprise a thermoelectric material, with nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures having first ligands disposed on surfaces of the nanostructures. The plurality of nanostructures is deposited on a substrate to form a layer. The layer is contacted with a solution containing second ligands. A ligand exchange process occurs where some of the first ligands disposed on the plurality of nanostructures are replaced with the second ligands. A first region of the layer is removed from contact with the solution so that the ligand exchange process does not occur in the first region of the layer, with the ligand exchange process occurring in the layer in contact with the solution. The layer is then removed from contact with the solution.