Related papers: Reversible thermoelectric nanomaterials
We theoretically investigate nonlinear ballistic thermoelectric transport in a superlattice-structured nanowire. By a special choice of nonuniform widths of the superlattice barriers - analogous to anti-reflection coating in optical systems…
Semiconductor nanostructures hold great promise for high-efficiency waste heat recovery exploiting thermoelectric energy conversion, a technological breakthrough that could significantly contribute to providing environmentally friendly…
The thermoelectric efficiency of semiconductors is usually considered in the ohmic electronic transport regime, which is achieved through high doping. Here we consider the opposite regime of low doping where the current-voltage…
We theoretically show how structural modifications and controlling quantum coherency can enhance linear and nonlinear thermoelectric performance in graphene nanostructure heat engines. Although graphene has emerged as a promising material…
Advances in solid-state device design now allow the spectrum of transmitted electrons in thermionic and thermoelectric devices to be engineered in ways that were not previously possible. Here we show that the shape of the electron energy…
Functional materials such as magnetic, thermoelectric, and battery materials have been revolutionized through nanostructure engineering. However, spin caloritronics, an advancing field based on spintronics and thermoelectrics with…
Thermoelectric generators are particularly suitable to investigate the irreversible processes which govern the coupled transport of matter and heat in solid-state systems. We study the efficiency at maximum power in the strong coupling…
While reversibility is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics, most reactions are not readily reversible, especially in solid state physics. For example, thermal diffusion is a widely known concept, used among others to inject dopant atoms…
The wave-like nature of electrons leads to the existence of upper bounds on the thermoelectric response of nanostructured devices [R. S. Whitney, Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 130601 (2014); Phys. Rev. B 91, 115425 (2015)]. This fundamental result,…
Quantum dots are useful model systems for studying quantum thermoelectric behavior because of their highly energy-dependent electron transport properties, which are tunable by electrostatic gating. As a result of this strong energy…
Thermal transport is less appreciated in probing quantum materials in comparison to electrical transport. This article aims to show the pivotal role that thermal transport may play in understanding quantum materials: the longitudinal…
The energy efficiency and power of a three-terminal thermoelectric nanodevice are studied by considering elastic tunneling through a single quantum dot. Facilitated by the three-terminal geometry, the nanodevice is able to generate…
Energy transfer in small nanosized systems can be very different from that in their macroscopic counterparts due to reduced dimensionality, interaction with surfaces, disorder, and large fluctuations. Those ingredients may induce…
Colloidal nanoparticles developed as interesting objects to establish two- or three-dimensional super-structures with properties not known from conventional bulk materials. Beyond, the properties can be tuned and quantum effects can be…
We identify the operational conditions for maximum power of a nanothermoelectric engine consisting of a single quantum level embedded between two leads at different temperatures and chemical potentials. The corresponding thermodynamic…
With the progress of nano-technology, thermodynamics also has to be scaled down, calling for specific protocols to extract and measure work. Usually, such protocols involve the action of an external, classical field (the battery) of…
Thermoelectric devices convert temperature gradients into electrical power and vice versa, thus enabling energy scavenging from waste heat, sensing and cooling. Yet, many of these attractive applications are hindered by the limited…
We investigate the steady-state transport characteristics of a quantum dot system consisting of a single energy level embedded between two reservoirs under the influence of both the temperature gradient and bias voltage. Within tailored…
We explore layered strongly correlated materials as a platform to identify and control unconventional heat transfer phenomena. We demonstrate that these systems can be tailored to sustain a wide spectrum of heat transport regimes, ranging…
Thermoelectrics are a promising class of materials for renewable energy owing to their capability to generate electricity from waste heat, with their performance being governed by a competition between charge and thermal transport. A…