Thermoelectric devices based on nanophononic metamaterials

US11588091B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce · US
• The Regents of the University of Colorado, a Body Corporate · US

Inventors

• Mahmoud I. Hussein · Superior, US
• Kristine A. Bertness · Boulder, US
• Howard M. Branz · Boulder, US
• Joel C. Weber · Naperville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 9, 2019
• Grant date: Feb 21, 2023
• Expiry date: May 11, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10N10/82
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A nanophononic metamaterial-based thermoelectric energy conversion device and processes for fabricating a nanophononic metamaterial-based thermoelectric energy conversion device is provided. In one implementation, for example, a nanophononic metamaterial-based thermoelectric energy conversion device includes a first conductive pad, a second conductive pad, and a plurality of strip units. In one implementation, the first conductive pad is coupled to a first connection of the thermoelectric energy conversion device, and the second conductive pad is coupled to a second connection of the thermoelectric energy conversion device. The plurality of strip units are connected in series between the first and second conductive pads and provide a parallel heat transfer pathway. The strip units include a nanostructure design comprising a nanophononic metamaterial.