Process for altering thermoelectric properties of a material

US8101449B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC. · US
• University of California—Berkeley · US

Inventors

• Wenjie Robin Liang · Beijing, CN
• Allon Hochbaum · Berkeley, US
• Melissa Fardy · Belmont, US
• Minjuan Zhang · Ann Arbor, US
• Peidong Yang · Somerville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 8, 2008
• Grant date: Jan 24, 2012
• Expiry date: Jun 1, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01P2006/40
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for altering the thermoelectric properties of an electrically conductive material is provided. The process includes providing an electrically conducting material and a substrate. The electrically conducting material is brought into contact with the substrate. A thermal gradient can be applied to the electrically conducting material and a voltage applied to the substrate. In this manner, the electrical conductivity, the thermoelectric power and/or the thermal conductivity of the electrically conductive material can be altered and the figure of merit increased.