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Nanostructure-Enhanced Bulk Thermoelectric Materials

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Office of the Secretary of Defense 		Award ID:
71936 		Program Year/Program:
2004 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
O043-EP3-4104 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Nanohmics, Inc
6201 East Oltorf St. Suite 400 Austin, TX -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2004
Title: Nanostructure-Enhanced Bulk Thermoelectric Materials
Agency / Branch: DOD / OSD
Contract: N00014-05-M-0044
Award Amount: $69,953.00
 

Abstract:

Compact, solid-state thermoelectric devices are now widely used for both cooling and power generation. These highly reliable devices have no moving parts, operate around room temperature, and are easily integrated into thermal systems. Despite these advantages, engineering applications have been limited by the relatively low intrinsic power conversion efficiency of the semiconductor material comprising the devices. Engineered, nanometer-scale semiconductor materials are now being developed to increase the thermoelectric efficiency. Much larger enhancements in thermoelectric efficiency are predicted in true quantum confined systems since this confinement produces peaks in the density of states. Accordingly, nanometer-sized spheres or rods should offer the highest increase in Seebeck coefficient. It should be possible to fabricate a composite material based on semiconducting nanoparticles that exhibits enhanced thermoelectric efficiency using high electrical/thermal conductivity ratio materials (e.g. conducting polymers) to provide a means for intergrain connectivity between the nanoparticles. To this end, Nanohmics and Drs. Kevin Stokes and Jiye Fang of the Advanced Materials Research Institute (AMRI) at the University of New Orleans propose to develop bulk thermoelectric composites consisting of organized assemblies of thermoelectric nanomaterials and conducting polythiophenes using an automated assembly process.

Principal Investigator:

Steve Savoy
Vice President R&D
5123899990
ssavoy@nanohmics.com

Business Contact:

Keith Jamison
President
5123899990
kjamison@nanohmics.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

NANOHMICS, INC.
6201 East Oltorf St., Suite 100 Austin, TX 78741

EIN/Tax ID: 743072245
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No