Solid-state and vacuum thermionic energy conversion

A. Shakouri, Z. Bian, R. Singh, Y. Zhang, D. Vashaee, T. E. Humphrey, H. Schmidt, J. M. Zide, G. Zeng, J. H. Bahk, A. C. Gossard, J. E. Bowers, V. Rawat, T. D. Sands, W. Kim, S. Singer, A. Majumdar, P. M. Mayer, R. J. Ram, K. J. RusselV. Narayanamurti, F. A.M. Koeck, X. Li, J. S. Park, J. R. Smith, G. L. Bilbro, R. F. Davis, Z. Sitar, R. J. Nemanich

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A brief overview of the research activities at the Thermionic Energy Conversion (TEC) Center is given. The goal is to achieve direct thermal to electric energy conversion with >20% efficiency and>1W/cm 2 power density at a hot side temperature of 300-650C. Thermionic emission in both vacuum and solid-state devices is investigated. In the case of solid-state devices, hot electron filtering using heterostructure barriers is used to increase the thermoelectric power factor. In order to study electron transport above the barriers and lateral momentum conservation in thermionic emission process, the current-voltage characteristic of ballistic transistor structures is investigated. Embedded ErAs nanoparticles and metal/semiconductor multilayers are used to reduce the lattice thermal conductivity. Cross-plane thermoelectric properties and the effective ZT of the thin film are analyzed using the transient Harman technique. Integrated circuit fabrication techniques are used to transfer the n- and p-type thin films on AlN substrates and make power generation modules with hundreds of thin film elements. For vacuum devices, nitrogen-doped diamond and carbon nanotubes are studied for emitters. Sb-doped highly oriented diamond and low electron affinity AlGaN are investigated for collectors. Work functions below 1.6eV and vacuum thermionic power generation at temperatures below 700C have been demonstrated.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Pages245-260
Number of pages16
Publication statusPublished - 2006
Event2005 Materials Research Society Fall Meeting - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: 2005 Nov 282005 Dec 1

Publication series

NameMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Volume886
ISSN (Print)0272-9172

Other

Other2005 Materials Research Society Fall Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston, MA
Period05/11/2805/12/1

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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