Thermoelectric Materials 2003--Research and Applications Vol. 793 : 2003 MRS Fall Meeting Symposium Proceedings

The measure of a thermoelectric material is given by the material's figure of merit, ZT = S2T/, where S is the Seebeck coefficient, is the electrical conductivity, T is the absolute temperature and the thermal conductivity. For over three decades the best thermoelectric materials had a ZT=1. Recently, however, there are reports of new methods of materials synthesis that result in improvements beyond this performance. In addition, rapid characterization, as well as faster theoretical modeling of thermoelectric materials, has resulted in a more rapid evaluation of new materials. This volume, the newest in a popular series from the Materials Research Society, offers a look at these results and provides a benchmark for the current state in the field of thermoelectric materials research and development. The focus is on new and innovative directions that will lead to the next generation thermoelectric materials for small-scale refrigeration and power generation applications. The volume emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature (materials science, physics, and chemistry) of the research needed to advance the science and technology of the field. Both theoretical and experimental studies are features. Topics include: low-dimensional systems and nanocomposites; devices; oxides; skutterudites; complex bulk materials and measurements; novel approaches; and thermoelectric materials and technology.Nolas, George S. is the author of 'Thermoelectric Materials 2003--Research and Applications Vol. 793 : 2003 MRS Fall Meeting Symposium Proceedings', published 2009 under ISBN 9781558997318 and ISBN 1558997318.