'Molecular accordion' drives thermoelectric behavior in promising material
Monday, October 19, 2015 - 12:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Engines, laptops and power plants generate waste heat. Thermoelectric materials, which convert temperature gradients to electricity and vice versa, can recover some of that heat and improve energy efficiency. Scientists have explored the fundamental physics of the world's best thermoelectric material -- tin selenide -- using neutron scattering and computer simulations. Their work may aid energy sustainability and design of materials that convert heat into electricity.