Energy Filtering of Charge Carriers: Current Trends,Challenges, and Prospects for Thermoelectric Materials

Exhaustive attempts are made in recent decades to improve the performance of thermoelectric materials that are utilized for waste heat‐to‐electricity conversion. Energy filtering of charge carriers is directed toward enhancing the material thermopower. This paper focuses on the theoretical concepts, experimental evidence, and the authors' view of energy filtering in the context of thermoelectric materials. Recent studies suggest that not all materials experience this effect with the same intensity. Although this effect theoretically demonstrates improvement of the thermopower, applying it poses certain constraints, which demands further research. Predicated on data documented in literature, the unusual dependence of the thermopower and conductivity upon charge carrier concentrations can be altered through the energy filtering approach. Upon surmounting the physical constraints discussed in this article, thermoelectric materials research may gain a new direction to enhance the power factor and thermoelectric figure of merit.     

Structural and ion transport properties of [(AgI)x(AgBr)0.4−x](LiPO3)0.6 and (AgBr)x(LiPO3)(1−x) solid electrolytes

The (AgBr)_x(LiPO₃)_(1−x) (x=0.4 and 0.5) and [(AgI)_x(AgBr)_0.4−x](LiPO₃)_0.6 (x=0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) superionic electrolytes have been prepared by conventional melt quenching using a twin roller. These electrolytes are characterized by X-ray diffraction, SEM, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) for structural investigation. Electrical characterizations have been carried out by the AC impedance analysis. The conductivity of LiPO₃ glassy system at room temperature is improved by doping with the silver bromide (AgBr)_x(LiPO₃)_(1−x) and the mixture of silver iodide, silver bromide (AgI-AgBr-LiPO₃ system) up to 10⁻⁵ and 10⁻³ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹, respectively (improvements by four or five orders of magnitude). The frequency response of ionic conductivity has been analyzed by universal dynamic response model (Jonscher's law) and AC conductivity data are fitted using the Jonscher's power law. The conductivity values obtained by the power law and impedance plots are comparable. The frequency exponent (n) has a value between 0 and 1. The AgI-AgBr-LiPO₃ system shows the mixed alkali effect. Summerfield scaling master curve is temperature dependent, which may be due to the contribution of the both lithium and silver ions to ionic conduction.     

Synthesis and thermoelectric performance of titanium diboride and its composites with lead selenide and carbon

The exploration of new thermoelectric material is the current area of research in energy conversion and storage technologies, in that nanocomposite approach is a promising root to get desirable thermoelectric properties. The present study demonstrates a composite containing highly conductive titanium diboride (TiB₂), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as binder and lead selenide (PbSe) as semiconductor. The synthesis and transport physics are studied with an intention to increase the power factor and figure of merit (ZT) of TiB₂ by reducing thermal conductivity through creating inhomogeneity in microstructures. Sol gel method and carbothermal reduction reaction have been used to synthesize TiB₂. More than 95% of thermal conductivity is reduced due to the phonon scattering, which is desirable to achieve a high power factor and ZT. TiB₂/PVA composite possesses a very low Seebeck coefficient and exhibits three order of magnitude reduction in electrical conductivity, which hinders in achieving a good power factor and ZT. Power factor of 25.3?µW/mK², Seebeck coefficient of 36.3 μV/K at 550?K and electrical conductivity of 2.5?×?10⁴ S/m at ~300?K and ZT of 0.064 at 550?K are worth to report in this study. Finally, the synthesized TiB₂ is incorporated into PbSe to evaluate thermoelectric properties. Maximum ZT of 0.12 at 495?K, Seebeck coefficient of ?342?µV/K at 550?K, electrical conductivity of 2.8?×?10³ S/m at 400?K, thermal conductivity of 1.03?W/mK at 550?K and highest power factor of 280.2?µW/mK² at 495?K have been achieved in this composite.     

Delayed function reduces renal allograft survival independent of acute rejection

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms by which delayed allograft function reduces renal allograft survival are poorly understood. This study evaluated the relationship of delayed allograft function to acute rejection and long-term survival of cadaveric allografts. METHODS: 338 recipients of cadaveric allografts were followed until death, resumption of dialysis, retransplantation, loss to follow-up, or the study's end, which ever came first. Delayed allograft function was defined by dialysis during the first week following transplantation. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards survival analysis was used to assess the relationship of delayed allograft function to rejection and allograft survival. RESULTS: Delayed allograft function, recipient age, preformed reactive antibody levels, prior kidney transplantation, recipient race, rejection during the first 30 days and rejection subsequent to 30 days following transplantation were predictive of allograft survival in multivariate survival models. Delayed allograft function was associated with shorter allograft survival after adjustment for acute rejection and other covariates (relative rate of failure [RR]+1.72 [95% CI, 1.07, 2.76]). The adjusted RR of allograft failure associated with any rejection during the first 30 days was 1.99 (1.23, 3.21), and for rejection subsequent to the first 30 days was 3.53 (2.9 08, 6.00). The impact of delayed allograft function did not change substantially (RR=1.84 [1.15, 2.95]) in models not controlling for acute rejection. These results were stable among several subgroups of patients and using alternative definitions of allograft survival and delayed allograft function. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that delayed allograft function and acute allograft rejection have important independent and deleterious effects on cadaveric allograft survival. These results suggest that the effect of delayed allograft function is mediated, in part, through mechanisms not involving acute clinical rejection.