Quantum-Interference-Enhanced Thermoelectricity (QUIET).

Lead Research Organisation: University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Chemistry

Abstract

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Description * characterisation of STM junctions in the presence of temperature gradients
* measurement of the thermopower at the single-molecule level for two test molecules, with excellent agreement with (limited) data available in the literature
*An important key finding of our work has been that thermoelectric performance can be preserved from the single-molecule level to thin films. This is an important step towards real-life "molecular" thermoelectric devices.
Exploitation Route Our findings - and those to come as part of this award - will highlight important design criteria for molecular materials with a view to making improved thermoelectric materials. The method we have developed for this purpose will also be available to others and is most likely going to make it easier for others in the field, to perform similar measurements with new materials.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Chemicals

Electronics

Energy

Healthcare
 
Title A new approach to measure the thermopower in single-molecule junctions 
Description We have recently a new method to measure the thermopower of single- and potentially also multi-molecule junction, which will now be exploited to probe structural effects on the thermoelectric performance of molecular materials. 
Type Of Material Improvements to research infrastructure 
Year Produced 2019 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact It is only the second method available for this purpose, the other one being the detection of the thermocurrent combined with bias switching. We believe our method is easier to implement and to use and we make it available via scientific publication over the coming months, provide some final tests are successful.