Selective Chemical Vapour Deposition for Production of Thermoelectric Micro-Generators for Energy Harvesting
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Sch of Chemistry
Abstract
Thermoelectric micro-generators are solid state devices that can provide constant sources of electricity. They have a number of very favourable features, i.e. no mechanical parts that can wear out, require little maintenance, have long lifetimes and produce no emissions. Solid-state thermoelectric devices are based upon one of two phenomena, the Seebeck effect, which can be used for power generation (energy harvesting), and the Peltier effect for electronic cooling or heating. In order to produce a functional thermoelectric device, an n-type doped material is connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel across a temperature differential to a p-type doped material, so that current flows between the two. Bismuth telluride based thermoelectric materials are very well suited for near room temperature applications, including wireless sensing. Through recent research supported by STFC, we have developed a new series of molecular precursor compounds which can be used in chemical vapour deposition to produce high quality thin films of (n-type) bismuth telluride and (p-type) antimony telluride. Unusually, our precursors and CVD-based system allows the materials to be deposited very selectively onto specific areas of lithographically patterned substrates. The focus of this project is to work closely with key stakeholders, including a thermoelectric device company and a specialist precursor manufacturer, to exploit the unique features of our precursors and CVD-based approach so that the production costs for manufacture of thermoelectric micro-generators can be reduced significantly. Since the actual production costs account for the majority of the unit cost per thermoelectric generator, reducing this is a high priority to allow penetration of these micro-generator devices into new and larger markets.
Validation and benchmarking of the key thermoelectric properties of our CVD-produced thermoelectric micro-generators is central to the work, and this will also provide the key data necessary to evaluate the prospect of using our CVD-based approach for TE micro-coolers for future applications such as on-chip cooling of microprocessors.
Validation and benchmarking of the key thermoelectric properties of our CVD-produced thermoelectric micro-generators is central to the work, and this will also provide the key data necessary to evaluate the prospect of using our CVD-based approach for TE micro-coolers for future applications such as on-chip cooling of microprocessors.
Publications
Benjamin S
(2018)
Compositionally tunable ternary Bi 2 (Se 1-x Te x ) 3 and (Bi 1-y Sb y ) 2 Te 3 thin films via low pressure chemical vapour deposition
in Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Gurnani C
(2018)
Tin(iv) chalcogenoether complexes as single source precursors for the chemical vapour deposition of SnE2 and SnE (E = S, Se) thin films.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Hawken SL
(2018)
[Ge(TenBu)4] - a single source precursor for the chemical vapour deposition of germanium telluride thin films.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Huang R
(2016)
Nanoscale arrays of antimony telluride single crystals by selective chemical vapor deposition.
in Scientific reports
Newbrook D
(2020)
Selective Chemical Vapor Deposition Approach for Sb 2 Te 3 Thin Film Micro-thermoelectric Generators
in ACS Applied Energy Materials
Newbrook D
(2020)
Improved thermoelectric performance of Bi2Se3 alloyed Bi2Te3 thin films via low pressure chemical vapour deposition
in Journal of Alloys and Compounds
Newbrook D
(2019)
Mathematical model and optimization of a thin-film thermoelectric generator
in Journal of Physics: Energy
Zhu Y
(2022)
Artificial neural network enabled accurate geometrical design and optimisation of thermoelectric generator
in Applied Energy
Description | We have developed a series of reagents that can be used as single source CVD precursors to deliver the elements required to grow thin film p- and n-type metal chalcogenide semiconductors. Moreover, we have demonstrated the capability to use these reagents for the area selective CVD onto patterned structures, reducing the need for additional processing steps and requiring much less material. We have also found that deposition temperature and composition can allow optimisation of the thermoelectric properties exhibited. |
Exploitation Route | the approach and processes could be adopted by companies interested in the use of micro-thermoelectric generators for wireless sensing and IoT applications. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Chemicals Electronics Energy Environment |
Description | Some of our precursors are being used in collaboration with industry partners. |
First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
Sector | Energy |
Description | Deregallera |
Organisation | Deregallera Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Contribution to a CASE PhD studentship to work on other thermoelectric materials |
Collaborator Contribution | Discussions, consultancy, attendance at workshops and meetings |
Impact | PhD studentship |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Ilika |
Organisation | Ilika |
Department | Ilika Technologies Ltd. |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Mutual interest in TE materials development |
Collaborator Contribution | Expertise and contributions to review meeting and workshops |
Impact | advancing work on micro-TEGs |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Activities at SOTSEF 2019 |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | delivery of 'atoms and crystals' activities at annual Southampton Science and Engineering Festival in March 2019, comprising a range of hands on activities and the opportunity to discuss the wider relevance of the research project and its potential applications. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Chaired IUPAC Global Women's Breakfast Panel Discussion |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Chaired a panel discussion about Inclusion and Diversity in the Chemical Sciences - virtual/online |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Chaired Panel Discussions at Global Women's Breakfast, RSC, Burlington House, London |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Chaired a discussion around Breaking the Barriers (Gender Diversity) with a panel of chemists from industry, academia and PhD student. Created lots of discussion and networking; prompted invitations to speak at other events |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Conference presentation at ICT2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Dissemination of results from the research project via a presentation at ICT2018 in Caen; talk delivered by PDRA on project. The international audience comprised industrialists and academics, as well as researchers working in the field and spanning engineering and physical sciences. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Energy Harvesting Materials and Devices Workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | A poster on some of the work done on the deposition of tin chalcogenide materials and their thermoelectric properties was presented. A number of different conversations with various participants on different approaches for them to enhance their research as well as my own. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Inclusion and Diversity Panel at GapSummit 2022 - focussed on PhD students and ECRs in the biotech areas |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Member of the I&D Panel taking questions from the audience and discussion I&D matters |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | International Women's Day event at University of Manchester |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Was one of 3 presenters at IWD event, and also participated in panel discussions around improving gender and other diversity in STEM |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Southampton Science and Engineering Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Organisation and delivery of hands-on activities associated with structural and materials chemistry at a large scale Science and Engineering Day; ~3000 visitors in total, ~300 children together with their parents/carers/extended families participating in this activity. Discussions around atoms. structures and properties, which sparked questions. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.southampton.ac.uk/per/university/festival/science-and-engineering-day.page |
Description | UK Thermoelectric Network Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | A number of talks were given on the advancement of thermoelectric materials and devices and several posters. The intended outcome was to maintain a strong unity within the thermoelectric community and share the work being undertaken around then UK |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | UK Thermoelectrics Network Meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited talk at the EPSRC Thermoelectric Meeting, Manchester, February 2017 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Women in Chemistry 1 day symposium |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Invited to talk about career to date, and aspects of research |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | talk at thermoelectrics workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | organisation of thermoelectrics workshop and presentation |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | thermoelectrics workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | presentation at thermoelectric network meeting in Edinburgh |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |