Specific approaches towards design of the thermoelectric oxides

Abstract

Sustainable energy supply to the population based on environmentally friendly and efficient technologies represents one of the major societal challenges in 21st century. One of the solutions is thermoelectric conversion of waste heat or solar heat into electricity, using sustainable and scalable devices, with self-sufficiency to enable mobile or remote applications. This talk will feature some promising strategies to design performing oxidebased thermoelectrics, including redox-promoted enhancement of the thermoelectric properties and a self-forming nanocomposite concept, where a controllable interplay between exsolution of the nanophases and modification of the host matrix suppresses the thermal transport, while imparting the high electrical performance. Particular attention will be given to laser floating zone technique as a tool to process ceramic samples appropriate for fabrication of the thermoelectric generators.