Q-dot-Glass based Thermoelectric Cooling (Q-Dot-TEC) by Thermal Energy Harvesting
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Chemical and Process Engineering
Abstract
The technology has evolved drastically over various stages of industrial revolution from usage of coal, steam and water to current stage chip technology, artificial intelligence and big data which relies on lots of data transfer (5G). With data as new oil, data centres will need large storage capacities which in turn increases power consumption of ICT sector. The energy demand in ICT sector implies that global carbon footprint for increasing the capacity of digital infrastructure may become unsustainable at a current rate in future!
Hence the present proposal aims to develop a novel single platform technology using on-chip energy harvesting of heat dissipated by electronic and photonic chips during their operation. The future of manufacturing PICs will adapt with the software design options by incorporating on-chip thermal management programme, which will then become a part of the chip substrate and component assembly process using the advanced robotic technology. The missing feature in robotically controlled integration has been thermal management engineering and its implementation on chip at low cost and power budget. Our methodology is based on engineering a unique chip using Q-dot doped glass during manufacturing. This chip will constitute Q-dot glass layer on SOI substrate, followed by selective growth of n- and p-type semiconductor layers on it. The heat dissipated from operating components will be absorbed by Qdot glass which then be transferred to adjoining n and p-type semiconducting layers for the generation of charge carriers. These charge carriers will generate current. This project will be a cross-disciplinary project which aims to provide solution for an outstanding problem of heat dissipation in the existing chip technology (electronic and the PICs) and future energy crisis using (i) Materials synthesis and deposition ii) Materials characterizations iii) Device based characterisation iv) Manufacturability of the thermal energy harvesting devices.
Hence the present proposal aims to develop a novel single platform technology using on-chip energy harvesting of heat dissipated by electronic and photonic chips during their operation. The future of manufacturing PICs will adapt with the software design options by incorporating on-chip thermal management programme, which will then become a part of the chip substrate and component assembly process using the advanced robotic technology. The missing feature in robotically controlled integration has been thermal management engineering and its implementation on chip at low cost and power budget. Our methodology is based on engineering a unique chip using Q-dot doped glass during manufacturing. This chip will constitute Q-dot glass layer on SOI substrate, followed by selective growth of n- and p-type semiconductor layers on it. The heat dissipated from operating components will be absorbed by Qdot glass which then be transferred to adjoining n and p-type semiconducting layers for the generation of charge carriers. These charge carriers will generate current. This project will be a cross-disciplinary project which aims to provide solution for an outstanding problem of heat dissipation in the existing chip technology (electronic and the PICs) and future energy crisis using (i) Materials synthesis and deposition ii) Materials characterizations iii) Device based characterisation iv) Manufacturability of the thermal energy harvesting devices.
Publications
Al-Murish M
(2023)
Engineering of Solar Energy Harvesting Tb3+-Ion-Doped CdS Quantum Dot Glasses for Photodissociation of Hydrogen Sulfide.
in ACS applied energy materials
Jha A
(2023)
Encyclopedia of Materials: Electronics
Kumi Barimah E
(2024)
Optical properties and NIR Photoluminescence of Dy 3+ doped CdS Q-dots dispersed in borosilicate glass for biophotonics applications
in EPJ Web of Conferences
Kumi-Barimah E
(2024)
Multi-target Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) Technique for the growth of µm-to-nm scale Photo-active Thin-film Coatings
in EPJ Web of Conferences
Loganathan S
(2025)
Ultrashort Pulsed Laser-Assisted Direct Restoration of Human Enamel Using 3D Printable Biocomposite
in Advanced Materials Technologies
Sharma G
(2024)
Effect of Rare Earth Ion Substitution on Phase Decomposition of Apatite Structure.
in Chemphyschem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry
| Description | We have now established heterostructure growth of Q-dot glass structures with MoS2 on Silicon substrate. This work is progressing now towards device engineering and characterisations. The characterisation of heterostructures of doped-MoS2 on Q-dot glass shows temperature-dependent carrier conductivity which is being characterized in collaboration with the University of Nottingham. The research collaboration with Keele University has also opened the opportunity for charge storage in capacitors to be integrated on photonic/electronic integrated circuits. |
| Exploitation Route | Device engineering and further collaboration with the Semiconductor Catapult at Newport and BTRL may materialise for the next phase of device integration research. |
| Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Electronics Energy |
| Description | Impacts so far: a) Creating a pulsed laser deposition facility for heterostructure thin film growth b) Collaboration with CSA Newport c) Early discussion with British Telecom on net zero targets for OEICs and PICs d) New collaborations with the University of Nottingham and Keele University. e) Machine Learning approach has been developed and it will be applied for Heterostructure Growth of Thin films for thermoelectric device engineering. The research on photothermal properties of Q-dot glass was originally funded by the Royal Society GCRF Scheme. We demonstrated the use of semiconductor Q-dot glass reactors for applications in boiling water and photocatalytic dissociation of hydrogen sulphide for hydrogen and elemental sulphur production. The UKRI Fellowship explores a new line of research for the applications of photothermal Q-dot glass in heterostructure geometries in contact with doped MoS2. The heterostructure geometry offer carrier generation from the heat generated on say Silica-on-Si. The basic structure of device is now being characterised. Another emerging application of Q-dot glass photothermal/photocatalytic reactor is in the production of hydrogen from the photodisccosiation of methane. This is a newly funded PhD project which started in Feb 2024. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Impact Types | Societal Economic |
| Title | Heat transfer model |
| Description | A primitive model was developed to calculate the efficiency of thermoelectric generators by analyzing heat transfer. |
| Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The model is still in the development stage |
| Title | Machine Learning Approach for Determining the Engineering Materials using optimal process parameters |
| Description | During the Fellowship, the ML methodology has been launched to determine the optimal process route for materials engineering for achieving the desired functional properties. The ML approach may be adopted for complex heterostructure growth of thin films of MoS2, graphene, Q-dot glass structures on Silica-on-Si substrates. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2024 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The research article will be published in due course based on the scholar's research on thin films of photo-active calcium phosphate minerals, which Dr Sharma has been applying for heterostructure growth of thin films for thermoelectric device engineering. |
| Title | Simulations for 2D thermoelectric devices |
| Description | The simulation of 2D thermoelectric devices using COMSOL Multiphysics is done for optimizing performance by analyzing heat transport, charge carrier dynamics, and efficiency. Thermoelectric materials convert waste heat into electricity, making them valuable for energy harvesting applications. COMSOL allows precise modeling of thermoelectric effects, incorporating heat conduction (Fourier's Law), electrical transport (Ohm's Law), and the Seebeck effect, which governs voltage generation from temperature gradients. In simulations, 2D materials like MoS2 and graphene are used due to their superior electrical conductivity and tunable thermal properties. COMSOL enables parametric analysis, helping to optimize key parameters such as the Seebeck coefficient (S), electrical conductivity (s), and thermal conductivity (?), which define the device's figure of merit (ZT). These simulations reduce the need for extensive prototyping, enabling the design of efficient thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for waste heat recovery, wearable electronics, and sustainable power solutions. Ultimately, COMSOL-driven optimization accelerates the development of high-performance 2D thermoelectric devices for practical energy applications. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2025 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The development of COMSOL-based simulations for 2D thermoelectric devices has had a significant impact on optimizing device performance, reducing experimental costs, and accelerating material development. By providing a virtual testing environment, it enables precise tuning of parameters such as the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity, leading to improved energy conversion efficiency. These simulations have facilitated the design of high-performance thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for waste heat recovery and wearable electronics, promoting sustainable energy solutions. Additionally, the tool helps researchers analyze device performance under real-world conditions, minimizing fabrication errors and guiding experimental efforts. This advancement contributes to the development of next-generation thermoelectric materials for energy harvesting applications. |
| Description | Collaboration with British Telecom for characterisations of thermoelectric coolers |
| Organisation | BT Group |
| Department | BT Research |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Our research efforts have centered on synthesizing and extensively characterizing MoS2 nanoparticles, encompassing both n-type and p-type variants. Moreover, we have undertaken the synthesis and meticulous characterization of Bi2S3 Quantum Dot (Q-Dot) glass to enable precise growth of 2D heterostructures using Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) techniques, specifically tailored for thermal energy harvesting applications. Through meticulous experimentation and comprehensive analysis, we have gained intricate insights into the structural and thermoelectric properties of these materials, establishing a strong groundwork for the advancement of sophisticated thermal energy harvesting systems. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partnership with BT encompasses comprehensive evaluations and experiments to evaluate the efficacy of Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) in heat dissipation and waste heat conversion. We have devised Q-Dot/2D heterostructures, and ongoing tests aim to gauge TEC efficiency, reliability, and effectiveness across diverse conditions and scenarios. Collaborating closely with BT, we are meticulously planning and strategizing critical manufacturing processes, evaluating feasibility, and devising implementation strategies to facilitate the seamless integration of TECs into electronic systems during mass production. Furthermore, we are in regular contact with BT for guidance, particularly in establishing a new measurement approach using broadband sources and photodiode pyrometry for on-chip energy harvesting. |
| Impact | Outputs and outcomes resulting from our collaboration with BT include: Thorough evaluations and experiments to assess the performance of Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) in dissipating heat and converting waste heat into usable energy. 1. Design and development of Q-Dot/2D heterostructures for integration into TECs. 2. Execution of tests to measure the efficiency, reliability, and effectiveness of TECs under various conditions and scenarios. 3. Planning and strategizing the demonstration of manufacturability, including identifying key manufacturing processes, assessing feasibility, and developing implementation strategies. 4. Establishment of a new measurement approach using broadband sources and photodiode pyrometry for on-chip energy harvesting. This collaboration is multi-disciplinary, involving expertise from various fields including materials science, semiconductor physics, nanotechnology, manufacturing engineering, and thermal energy systems. Each discipline contributes to different aspects of the project, ranging from materials synthesis and characterization to device fabrication, testing, and integration. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with CSA catapult for characterisations of thermoelectric coolers |
| Organisation | Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Our research initiatives have focused on the synthesis and thorough characterization of MoS2 nanoparticles, covering both n-type and p-type configurations. Additionally, we have engaged in synthesizing and meticulously characterizing Bi2S3 Quantum Dot (Q-Dot) glass to facilitate the precise growth of 2D heterostructures utilizing Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) techniques, specifically for thermal energy harvesting applications. Through detailed experimentation and comprehensive analysis, we have obtained intricate insights into the structural and thermoelectric properties of these materials, providing a robust foundation for the advancement of sophisticated thermal energy harvesting systems. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our collaboration with CSA Catapult will involve conducting thorough evaluations and experiments to assess the performance of Thermoelectric Coolers (TECs) in dissipating heat and converting waste heat into usable energy. We have designed Q-Dot/2D heterostructures and tests will be executed to measure the efficiency, reliability, and effectiveness of TECs under various conditions and scenarios. We are working closely with CSA Catapult to plan and strategize the demonstration of manufacturability. This involved identifying key manufacturing processes, assessing feasibility, and developing implementation strategies to ensure seamless integration of TECs into electronic systems during mass production. |
| Impact | Outputs from the collaboration: Conducted an online meeting to plan the workflow and characterizations. Initiated thermal conductivity and heat transfer experiments, which are currently in progress. This collaboration is multidisciplinary, involving: Materials science: Synthesis and characterization of materials. Engineering: Conducting thermal conductivity and heat transfer experiments. Physics: The interface engineering and heat transfer across the heterostructure. Collaboration with CSA catapult for characterisations of thermoelectric coolers |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with ISIS Neutron and Muon Source |
| Organisation | ISIS Neutron Source Facility |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Learned Society |
| PI Contribution | We are having discussion with ISIS for performing muon spectroscopy on Q-Dot glass samples for stuying the phonon transport characteristics on them |
| Collaborator Contribution | The ISIS is proving support by providing access to muon facility. |
| Impact | NA |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Collaboration with Keele University |
| Organisation | Keele University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We are collaborating with Keele University on energy materials research using 2D materials such as MoS2, focusing on energy storage. We are supplying synthesised MoS2 (doped and undoped) for super capacitive applications. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Keele University is characterising the 2D materials synthesized by us for energy storage applications. |
| Impact | We are in the process of summiting a research paper based on the results obtained during this collaboration. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Collaboration with Nottingham University |
| Organisation | University of Nottingham |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Engaged in thermoelectric studies, specifically for 2D materials, sharing research insights and developing joint projects. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Northingham University is helping us in characterising the thermoelectric properties of the fabricated devices using 2D materials. |
| Impact | NA |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Attended EOSAM 2024 - European Optical Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation: "Fabrication and Characterisations of 2D-MoS2 Thin Films for Optoelectronic and Photonic Device Applications" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | International Conference on Glass (ICG 2025) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation: "Bi2S3 Q-Dot Silicate Glass for Thermal Energy Harvesting for ICT Devices" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | Participated in one day Q-Dot conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | I presented my work related to Q-Dot glass hetrostructures for thermal energy harvesting |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Visit to CSA Catapult |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The engagement activity during our visit to CSA Catapult involved a presentation and interactive discussion session to communicate our research on thermoelectric coolers (TECs) and energy harvesting systems. This session aimed to share insights into the development and potential applications of TECs in dissipating heat and converting waste heat into usable energy. We discussed the design, fabrication, and characterization of TECs, as well as their integration into electronic systems for improved thermal management and energy efficiency. The presentation was followed by a Q&A session, allowing for direct engagement with the audience to address questions, exchange ideas, and foster collaboration opportunities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Visit to Catapult CSA in Newport for attending the Workshop on thin film materials integration |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dr Geeta Sharma went to attend the Workshop organized by the CST Catapult at Newport, S Wales. This workshop was for explaining the support facilities which are available at CST. Since Dr Sharma's Fellowship relates with the integration of thin film devices, the visit also explored future collaboration route for working with CST on a new porject, which is being considered. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Visit to National Physical Laboratory |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Visited for material research discussions, focusing on thermal management and metrology standards for energy harvesting systems using 2D materials. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Visit to QinetiQ |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Discussed how 2D materials (MoS2 and graphene), particularly those with enhanced thermal and electrical properties, can be used in thermal energy harvesting applications, especially in defence and aerospace sectors where extreme performance is required. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | Winter Crystallography Meeting 2024 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation: "Effect of Rare Earth Ion Substitution on Phase Decomposition of Apatite Structure" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |