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Quantum Dot Nanocomposite Based Novel Thermoelectric Materials

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA9550-11-C-0034
Agency Tracking Number: F10B-T26-0134
Amount: $99,958.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF10-BT26
Solicitation Number: 2010.B
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2011
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2011-06-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
8100 Shaffer Parkway Suite #130
Littleton, CO -
United States
DUNS: 148034408
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Sayandev Naha
 Research Engineer
 (303) 792-5615
 sayann@adatech.com
Business Contact
 Clifton Brown
Title: President
Phone: (303) 792-5615
Email: cliffb@adatech.com
Research Institution
 University of Colorado at Boulder
 Ronggui Yang
 
University of Colorado Dept of Mechanical Engineering
Boulder, CO 80309-0427
United States

 (303) 735-1003
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

ABSTRACT: Energy harvesting has emerged as a critical need for many current and future Air Force missions to enable their long lifetime requirements. Traditional approaches have focused on harvesting solar and vibration (i.e., via the use of piezoelectric materials) energy. More recently, substantial interest has developed in harvesting energy derived from thermal gradients (e.g., due to solar radiation and/or waste heat) as it has the potential to greatly surpass the power generation capabilities of more traditional approaches. Unfortunately, deficiencies in the state-of-the-art thermoelectric materials have prevented their widespread use in energy harvesting / conversion systems. To address the need for higher performing thermoelectric materials, ADA Technologies, Inc., in collaboration with the University of Colorado, propose the development of a novel, high performance (i.e., high figure of merit or, ZT) and highly scalable thermoelectric material based on nanocomposite technology. BENEFIT: Energy harvesting and conversion is a critical need for numerous military applications. For example, future micro air vehicles are intended to meet a mission operation that extends over several days, which is only achievable by combining an efficient energy harvesting and storage system. Further, structural health monitoring for applications such as airframes and spacecraft is only feasible when combined with an energy harvesting system. Beyond the military applications, there exist numerous commercial applications that could make use of a structural health monitoring system enabled by an efficient energy harvesting system. Examples include wind turbine blades and civil infrastructure for enhanced performance and safety.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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