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Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers enhance thermoelectricity with guided impurity position control

Researchers at GIST have developed an IDT-based polymer with low thermal conductivity and high electronic conductivity, improving thermoelectric performance. The new material demonstrates a 6-fold increase in efficiency compared to conventional materials.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalChemistry of Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 3, 2023

Novel oxychloride shows high stability and oxide-ion conduction through interstitial oxygen site

A new Bi-containing compound, LaBi1.9Te0.1O4.05Cl, exhibits high chemical and electrical stability and a high oxide-ion conductivity superior to other materials at low temperatures. The unique mechanism underlying the high conductivity is explained by an interstitialcy migration of oxide ions through the lattice and interstitial sites.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2023

Towards more efficient and eco-friendly thermoelectric oxides with hydrogen substitution

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have discovered a new approach to improve the performance of thermoelectric materials by substituting hydrogen for oxygen. This substitution reduces thermal conductivity while maintaining high electronic conductivity, leading to improved thermoelectric conversion efficiency.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 18, 2023

Too hot to handle

A new study from the University of Pittsburgh reveals that metal organic frameworks (MOFs) can heat up significantly when absorbing gases, leading to a loss of efficiency. The researchers identified MOFs with high densities and small pores as more capable of conducting heat, paving the way for their practical commercial implementation.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateMar 13, 2023

Examining heat transfer in granular materials

Researchers have discovered that thermal conductivity in granular materials is heavily influenced by particle sizes and surface roughness. For smaller particles, heat transfer occurs mainly through water capillary bridges, while larger particles rely on air transmission.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateFeb 23, 2023

Solid-state thermal transistor demonstrated

A research team at Hokkaido University has created a stable and effective solid-state electrochemical thermal transistor that can control heat flow with electrical signals. The device outperforms current liquid-state thermal transistors in terms of stability and efficiency.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2023

Clemson researchers, "father of Thermoelectrics" team up to develop new method to evaluate thermoelectric materials

A team of Clemson researchers has developed a new method to evaluate the efficiency of thermoelectric materials, called the figure-of-merit (zT), which considers temperature, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. The new method uses Peltier cooling to measure zT with higher resolution and accuracy.

SourceClemson University·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2023

Solving the puzzle: Cubic silicon carbide wafers demonstrate high thermal conductivity, second only to diamond

Researchers at the University of Illinois have solved a long-standing puzzle about cubic silicon carbide's thermal conductivity, which is higher than previously thought. The team measured an isotropic high thermal conductivity of over 500 W m–1 K–1, ranking it second only to diamond.

Pusan National University researchers introduce an energy-efficient method to enhance thermal conductivity of polymer composites

Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a new, energy-efficient process to control the orientation of filler particles in thermally conductive polymer composites. This allows for improved heat dissipation in electronics and batteries, reducing energy costs and extending device lifespan.

SourcePusan National University·JournalPolymer Testing·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2022

Plant fibers for sustainable devices

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered that plant-derived cellulose nanofibers exhibit high thermal conductivity, potentially replacing environmentally damaging synthetic polymers. The discovery was made using a novel method to align the fibers, allowing for efficient heat transfer.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2022

Shanghai Polytechnic University researchers develop new efficient phase change microcapsules for storing solar energy

Researchers from Shanghai Polytechnic University developed new efficient phase change microcapsules for storing solar energy, demonstrating superior photothermal conversion and thermal conductivity. The study found that the novel PCM microcapsule shells showed a 54.9% photothermal conversion efficiency, significantly higher than non-do...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalEnergy Storage and Saving·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2022

Topological materials become switchable

Researchers have successfully switched on and off topological states in a material, exploiting the interaction of electrons to manipulate their behavior. The discovery opens up new possibilities for technical applications, including quantum computers and sensor technology.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 11, 2022

Topology and machine learning reveal hidden relationship in amorphous silicon

Researchers used topological mathematics and machine learning to identify a hidden relationship between nano-scale structures and thermal conductivity in amorphous silicon. They found that the persistent homology diagram can be used as a descriptor for machine learning, achieving accurate predictions about thermal conductivities.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 24, 2022

UVA researchers harness the power of a new solid-state thermal technology

Researchers at UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science have discovered a way to make a versatile thermal conductor that can be controlled on demand. This advancement has promise for managing heating and cooling in electronic devices, green buildings and space exploration, with potential applications including the Mars Rover.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2022

Failed eruptions are at the origin of copper deposits

Scientists from the University of Geneva discover that copper deposits are formed by mechanisms similar to those causing large volcanic eruptions. The 'porphyry' deposits, containing copper, form when hot fluids release from cooling magmas and develop under the earth's surface.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeNews article·DateMay 9, 2022

Controlling heat flow in a solid by switching crystal structure dimensionality

Scientists have created a material that can reversibly switch between high and low thermal conductivity by changing its crystal structure dimensionality, opening up new possibilities for thermal management. The material's ability to alter its thermal conductivity allows for more efficient heat flow control.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 25, 2022

Nanopores feel the heat

A team of researchers at Osaka University created a thermocouple made of gold and platinum nanowires to measure the temperature directly next to a nanopore. They found that thermal energy was dissipated in proportion to the momentum of the ionic flow, in line with Ohm's law predictions.

SourceOsaka University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 11, 2022

CityU new structured thermal armour achieves liquid cooling above 1,000°C; solves challenge presented by Leidenfrost effect since 1756

Researchers have designed a novel thermal armour that successfully inhibits the Leidenfrost effect up to 1,150°C and achieves efficient liquid cooling across a wide temperature range. The breakthrough has significant implications for applications in aerospace, space engineering, and next-generation nuclear reactors.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2022

Earth’s interior is cooling faster than expected

Researchers have discovered that Earth's interior is cooling at a faster rate than expected, with implications for plate tectonics and the planet's overall activity. The study suggests that this increased heat flow will accelerate mantle convection, leading to a faster cooling of the Earth.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 14, 2022

Heat conduction important for droplet dynamics

A team of engineers found that thermal conduction is the most prominent form of heat transfer during droplet impact on smooth surfaces, influencing cooling efficiency and droplet behavior. Heat conduction also affects droplet dynamics on rough surfaces, leading to lower heat transfer rates.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalExperimental Thermal and Fluid Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2022

Fabricating MgB2 superconductors using spark plasma sintering and pulse magnetization

New research from Shibaura Institute of Technology reveals that spark plasma sintering produces highly dense MgB2 bulks with improved mechanical and superconducting properties. The resulting samples exhibit superior strengths and high trapped field performance, making them suitable for space applications and electric machines.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalMaterials Science and Engineering B·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 23, 2021

Nanodiamonds feel the heat

Researchers created nanodiamond sensors that can act as both heat sources and thermometers, allowing for the measurement of thermal conductivity inside living cells. This breakthrough may lead to new diagnostics tools and cancer therapies, as well as a better understanding of metabolic disorders such as obesity.

Game changer in thermoelectric materials could unlock body-heat powered personal devices

Researchers at the University of Wollongong have developed a new thermoelectric material with record-high conversion efficiency, improving heat-to-electricity conversion by over 60%. The discovery could enable the creation of body-heat powered personal devices, revolutionizing low-maintenance electronics and zero-carbon power generation.

Topology-optimized thermal cloak-concentrator

Researchers at Shinshu University developed a topology-optimized thermal cloak-concentrator that can cloak and concentrate heat flux using general materials. The study utilized topology optimization to create an optimized structure that achieved both functions simultaneously.

SourceShinshu University·JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer·DateSep 24, 2020