Now showing 1 - 10 of 18
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    High temperature electrical and thermal properties of activated bamboo charcoal/C12A7 mayenite composite prepared by carbon diffusion process
    Activated carbon from bamboo charcoal (BC) was diffused into the C12A7 mayenite compound via carbon diffusion process for synthesizing BC and C12A7 composite (BC/C12A7 composite). The BC/C12A7 composite was fabricated by carbon diffusion at holding time 5, 10 and 20 h for investigating electrical and thermal properties at high temperature. Result of XRD revealed the C12A7 structure and confirmed by Raman spectrum. Obtained energy gap showed at 4.93, 5.26, 5.19 and 5.09 eV at holding times of 0, 5, 10 and 20 h, respectively. Electrical conductivity significantly increased with increasing temperature and increased as a function of increasing holding time. Carrier concentration showed approximately 1.27 × 10 <sup>17</sup> , 1.32 × 10 <sup>17</sup> and 2.76 × 10 <sup>17</sup> cm <sup>−3</sup> of 5, 10 and 20 h, respectively. Temperature dependence of thermal conductivity showed as proportion of T <sup>−1</sup> due to phonon-phonon scattering of Umklapp process. The thermal conductivity decreased from pristine C12A7 approximately 0.4 W m <sup>−1</sup> K <sup>−1</sup> in all BC/C12A7 composite samples.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Tuning the thermoelectric performance of flexible copper selenide thin films through sputtering pressure and hybrid microwave annealing
    (2025-10-10)
    Khuncharoen, Wasan
    ;
    Theekhasuk, Nattharika
    ;
    ;
    Voraud, Athorn
    ;
    Flexible copper selenide (Cu₂₋ₓSe) thin films were deposited on polyimide substrates by direct current magnetron sputtering under varying pressures (0.8–4.0 × 10⁻² mbar) and subsequently annealed using hybrid microwave irradiation at 250 °C for 10–30 min. Increasing sputtering pressure raised the copper content (62.2–63.8 at%) and suppressed the formation of Cu₃Se₂ impurities. Hybrid microwave annealing promoted the transformation to stoichiometric β-Cu₂Se, removed oxide phases such as selenium dioxide and copper oxide, and improved crystallinity, as confirmed by x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy revealed microstructural densification at 10–20 min, whereas 30 min induced cracks and porosity that degraded transport properties. The optimized 20-minute annealed film achieved a peak power factor of 81.5 × 10⁻⁵ W/m·K² at 300 °C—over 130 times higher than that of the as-deposited film and comparable to other flexible Cu₂Se systems. Stability tests confirmed excellent retention after three months of ambient storage. These results establish sputtering pressure control and hybrid microwave annealing as scalable strategies for high-performance, stable Cu₂Se thermoelectric films.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Dual optimization of ZT and output power in bulk Bi2Te3 through metal-assisted chemical etching
    (2026-03-01)
    Theekhasuk, Nattharika
    ;
    ;
    Ono, Takahito
    ;
    ;
    Nguyen, Duc Nam
    Thermoelectric materials offer a promising route for sustainable energy harvesting by directly converting waste heat into electricity, enabling compact, solid-state, and environmentally friendly energy solutions. Among them, bismuth telluride (Bi₂Te₃) stands out as the benchmark material for near-room-temperature applications due to its excellent electronic transport properties and commercial maturity. However, achieving high-performance in bulk or thick-film Bi₂Te₃ remains a formidable challenge. Conventional strategies such as doping, alloying, and nanoinclusion, while successful in thin films, often fail to translate effectively to bulk systems due to issues like pore collapse, poor uniformity, and degraded electrical connectivity. These limitations hinder the formation of efficient phonon-scattering architectures without compromising charge transport, resulting in limited improvement in the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT). In this study, we present a novel and scalable nanoengineering strategy that applies metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) to fabricate nanoporous surface layers on bulk Bi₂Te₃ for the first time. Unlike conventional nanostructuring techniques, MACE enables the formation of oriented nanostructures via a simple wet-chemical process, offering high tunability, low cost, and compatibility with large-area substrates. To reduce interfacial resistance, nickel was subsequently electrodeposited onto the nanostructured surface, forming a conformal contact layer that improves charge extraction and output performance. By systematically tuning the MACE duration, the optimized nanostructured Bi₂Te₃ sample exhibited a 2.3-fold improvement compared to the pristine bulk sample. Furthermore, due to the increased surface area from the nanoporous architecture, the internal resistance and output power of the nanostructured Bi₂Te₃ devices demonstrated 25-fold and 5.8-fold improvments, respectively, relative to the untreated sample. These remarkable improvements are attributed to the synergistic effect of enhanced phonon scattering within the nanoporous layer and improved charge transport enabled by the conformal nickel coating. This work not only introduces a powerful nanostructuring route for Bi₂Te₃ but also establishes a practical platform for high-performance, thick-film thermoelectric devices. The findings offer deep insight into the structure, property, and performance relationships governing thermoelectric efficiency and pave the way toward the scalable fabrication of next-generation thermoelectric modules for real-world applications such as industrial waste heat recovery and self-powered electronics.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Positive ionic conduction of mayenite cement Ca12Al14O33/nano-carbon black composites on dielectric and thermoelectric properties
    (2020-03-01) ; ;
    Goto, Takashi
    ;
    Mayenite Ca<inf>12</inf>Al<inf>14</inf>O<inf>33</inf>/nano-carbon black composites (C12A7/nCB) were investigated regarding the mechanism of oxygen ion vacancy in the extra cage framework of positive ionic transport in thermoelectric and dielectric properties. The oxygen ion vacancy in C12A7/nCB composites was produced from C12A7 composited with nano-carbon back (nCB) for 0, 1, 3, 5 and 10 wt% by the rapid spark plasma sintering. The C12A7/nCB samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–vis spectroscopy. The O<sup>−</sup> <inf>2</inf> ions vacancy was confirmed by Raman spectrum. The positive ionic conduction was verified by the positive sign of Seebeck coefficient. The ionic conductivity was in order 5 S/cm of C12A7/nCB of 10 wt% content. The thermal conductivity was reduced by the effects of the O<sup>−</sup> <inf>2</inf> ions vacancy as point defect. The ZT for thermoelectric materials of C12A7/nCB of 10 wt% content were in a range from 0.01 × 10<sup>−3</sup> to 0.16 × 10<sup>−3</sup>, respectively. Positive ion conduction of C12A7/nCB composites resulting from oxygen ion vacancy occupying in extra framework affected to enhance dielectric constant, Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity and reduce thermal conductivity.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Optimal AIN film deposition conditions for enhancing surface corrosion resistance and silver appearance
    This study investigates the development of AlN thin-film protective coatings for enhancing the corrosion resistance, surface hardness, and color stability of Ag 925 substrates used in decorative and wearable applications. AlN coatings were deposited by reactive DC magnetron sputtering, and the influences of working pressure and film thickness on bonding chemistry, oxygen incorporation, optical appearance, and artificial-sweat corrosion resistance were systematically evaluated. Increasing the working pressure promoted Al–O bond formation and noticeable surface discoloration, consistent with enhanced oxygen uptake that disrupted the near-surface Al–N bonding network. In contrast, films deposited within a moderate pressure window (2.5–7.5 × 10<sup>−1</sup> Pa) exhibited minimal color change (ΔE < 3), maintained stable Al–N bonding characteristics, and achieved a hardness of approximately 5.2 GPa. Film thickness further governed the protective performance: ultrathin AlN layers provided only limited resistance, whereas coatings thicker than ~ 300 nm significantly improved surface resistance, as supported by the reduced chloride-induced discoloration (ΔE decreased from ~ 33.6 to ~ 11) and the effective suppression of Ag and Cu oxidation, as confirmed by FE-SEM/EDS analysis. These results demonstrate that both an optimal working pressure regime and a sufficiently thick coating (> 300 nm) are essential for achieving long-term color stability and corrosion resistance in wearable silver applications.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Energy-saving synthesis and β-phase enhancement of Cu2Se thermoelectric materials via the microwave hybrid heating technique
    (2021-10-25) ; ; ;
    Harnwunggmoung, Adul
    ;
    Horprathum, Mati
    Thermoelectric generators harvest energy from waste heat and convert it to electricity. β-Cu<inf>2</inf>Se is a candidate for them due to its outstanding thermoelectric properties and its environmentally friendly component elements. A microwave hybrid heating (MHH) method was used for the fast synthesis and enhancement of β-Cu<inf>2</inf>Se materials. The effects of the MHH reaction time on the phase microstructure and thermoelectric properties of the Cu<inf>2</inf>Se material were investigated, and the MHH method was compared with the conventional heating method. The X-ray diffraction patterns of samples, synthesized via the MHH method, showed monoclinic- (α) and cubic- (β) Cu<inf>2</inf>Se crystalline structures, whereas a single monoclinic-(α) structure was identified in a sample, synthesized via a conventional heating method. In addition, the β-Cu<inf>2</inf>Se phase was enhanced with increased MHH reaction time. The carrier concentration increased with β-Cu<inf>2</inf>Se content, which increased electrical conductivity and decreased the Seebeck coefficient. The Cu<sup>+</sup> ions in the β-Cu<inf>2</inf>Se phase led to the reduced thermal conductivity. A low thermal conductivity of 0.86 W m<sup>−1</sup> K<sup>−1</sup> and a maximum dimensionless figure of merit of 0.32 at 523 K were realized for 10 min MHH sample. Finally, MHH showed very low energy consumption and saved time, which are essential for industrialization.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    High-performance flexible thermoelectric generator based on silicone rubber and cover with graphite sheet
    (2024-01-05)
    Gobpant, Jakrit
    ;
    ; ; ;
    Junlabhut, Prasopporn
    Harvesting thermal energy through a flexible thermoelectric generator (FTEG) offers an excellent micro-power solution for energizing node sensors in the realm of Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable electronics. Nonetheless, current FTEG suffer from drawbacks including low efficiency, significant thermal resistance, and complex manufacturing procedures. In this study, a high-performance FTEG using silicone rubber was designed and fabricated using a straightforward process. The finite-element method was used to optimize the copper electrode thickness, and the bendable substrate layers with various thermal conductivity were studied for the first time. The copper electrode thickness of 0.1 mm was selected because it offers high flexibility and bendability while still providing a relatively high-power output. The 5 × 5 cm<sup>2</sup> FTEG device was fabricated and covered with a bendable substrate. Silicon rubber (0.08 Wm<sup>−1</sup>K<sup>−1</sup>), silicon rubber added 5% graphene (0.14 Wm<sup>−1</sup>K<sup>−1</sup>), and graphite sheets (15 Wm<sup>−1</sup>K<sup>−1</sup>) were used as bendable substrates. The FTEG cover with graphite sheets has a maximum output voltage of 1.1 V under a temperature difference (ΔT) at 65 °C. Its maximum output power is 162.4 mW, corresponding to a power density of 6499.1 µW/cm<sup>2</sup> under the same above ΔT. The experimental findings indicated that integrating a bendable substrate with high thermal conductivity and electrical insulation properties enhances the performance of the FTEG.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Effect of Ga-substitution for Fe sites of delafossite CuFe1-xGaxO2 (X = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) on thermal conductivity
    (2016-03-05)
    Hongaromkij, Yuttana
    ;
    ;
    This work aimed to study the effect of the Ga<sup>3+</sup>-substitution of Fe<sup>3+</sup> sites in CuFeO<inf>2</inf> delafossite on its thermal conductivity. CuFe<inf>1-x</inf>Ga<inf>x</inf>O<inf>2</inf> (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5) samples were synthesized and their phase structure and ionic composition were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The thermal conductivity of the samples was measured at a high temperature range of 298-573 K. The XRD results confirmed that the samples were pure phase delafossite with hexagonal structure space group: R3m while the EDX results showed composition atomic percent of Ga 100% of x = 0.1, 93% of x = 0.3 and 90% of x = 0.5 and the XPS results revealed Cu<sup>1+</sup> and Cu<sup>2+</sup>, Fe<sup>2+</sup> and Fe<sup>3+</sup>, and Ga<sup>3+</sup> ion states in the structure. The Ga-substitution decreased the thermal conductivity of the samples below that of nondoped CuFeO<inf>2</inf>. The high substitution sample (x = 0.5) exhibited the lowest thermal conductivity, 2.5 W/mK at 573 K. Ga substitution into Fe sites affected the lattice thermal conductivity partly through phonon scattering processes arising from mass difference and lattice strain.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Sputter-deposited AlN coatings for enhanced tarnish resistance and mechanical durability of silver jewelry
    Silver jewelry is prone to surface tarnishing caused by sulfur-containing species in ambient environments. In this study, a transparent aluminum nitride–based thin film was deposited by magnetron sputtering and evaluated as a protective barrier against silver tarnishing. Sheets of 99.9% pure silver were coated under various nitrogen flow conditions to optimize film composition and performance. An appropriate nitrogen flow rate of 25 standard cubic centimeters per minute (sccm), corresponding to an N₂/Ar gas ratio of approximately 1:1, was identified for forming AlN-rich films, while an AlN-based film thickness in the range of 80–110 nm was found to be suitable for jewelry protection. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed that insufficient nitrogen availability suppresses complete nitridation, resulting in residual metallic aluminum, which readily reacts with residual oxygen and moisture, increasing the oxygen content in the films. At an N₂ flow rate of 25 sccm, metallic aluminum was suppressed and the films were dominated by Al–N bonding with minor oxygen incorporation, accompanied by the development of a polycrystalline structure. Nanoindentation measurements performed on the 110 nm-thick film yielded a peak hardness of approximately 3.6 GPa, indicating enhanced mechanical durability compared with uncoated silver. Comparative evaluation of color difference, mechanical hardness, tarnish resistance, and environmental durability demonstrated improved performance of the AlN-coated silver. Finally, the practical applicability of the coating was demonstrated by depositing AlN-based films onto large and intricately designed silver jewelry items, indicating compatibility with industrial-scale processing.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Flexible thermoelectric cooler with optimized fill factor and radiative cooling integration for energy-efficient wearable thermal management
    (2025-12-01)
    Gobpant, Jakrit
    ;
    ;
    Sriniratkul, Pannarai
    ;
    Sa-I, Saowanee
    ;
    The growing demand for skin-interfaced electronics in health monitoring, sports, and personal comfort highlights the need for compact, energy-efficient, and conformable cooling systems. However, existing thermoelectric coolers (TECs) are rigid, bulky, and power-intensive, making them unsuitable for wearable applications. To address this limitation, we present a flexible thermoelectric cooler (FTEC) with a compact footprint of 40 × 40 × 2.26 mm<sup>3</sup>, featuring discrete p- and n-types thermoelectric leg arrays with systematically varied fill factors (FF = 9 %, 16 %, 25 %, and 36 %). Optimization revealed that the 16 % FF configuration provides the most energy-efficient architecture, achieving a cold-side temperature of −5.9 °C and a coefficient of performance (COP) of 3.25 at 6 W input, while balancing cooling capacity and electrical loss. To improve heat dissipation without increasing bulk, ultrathin graphite and radiative cooling (RC) layers were integrated. Three configurations, including baseline (no thermal layer), graphite-enhanced, and RC-enhanced FTECs, were systematically evaluated. Under ambient conditions (33 °C), the RC- enhanced FTEC maintained a cold-side temperature of approximately 23 °C for 6 h during low-current operation of 0.3 A. Beyond intrinsic performance, the optimized FTEC was benchmarked against both commercial rigid TEC modules and state-of-the-art flexible TECs. Compared to widely used Peltier devices (TEC1–12705 and TEC1–12710), our FTEC achieved comparable ΔT with nearly 65 % lower power consumption, owing to fill factor optimization and RC-enhanced heat rejection. Mechanical flexibility was validated through bending tests, confirming both thermal and electrical stability. Finally, integration with an ESP32-based proportional–integral–derivative (PID) control system enabled real-time wearable cooling, successfully reducing skin temperature from 33 °C to 31 °C in on-body trials. This work demonstrates.