Search
Menu
Meadowlark Optics - SEE WHAT

Nanotech Drives TE Boost

Facebook X LinkedIn Email
CHESTNUT HILL & CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 21, 2008 -- Nanotechnology has been used to crush and then reconstitute a classic semiconductor used in industry and research, dramatically improving its ability to conduct electricity but not heat. The work could pave the way for a new generation of thermoelectric (TE) products -- from semiconductors and air conditioners to car exhaust systems and solar power technology -- that run cleaner. The low-cost approach devised by a team of researchers at Boston College (BC) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology involves building tiny alloy nanostructures that can serve as micro-coolers and power...Read full article

Related content from Photonics Media



    Articles


    Products


    Photonics Handbook Articles


    White Papers


    Webinars


    Photonics Dictionary Terms


    Media


    Photonics Buyers' Guide Categories


    Companies
    Published: March 2008
    Glossary
    nano
    An SI prefix meaning one billionth (10-9). Nano can also be used to indicate the study of atoms, molecules and other structures and particles on the nanometer scale. Nano-optics (also referred to as nanophotonics), for example, is the study of how light and light-matter interactions behave on the nanometer scale. See nanophotonics.
    nanotechnology
    The use of atoms, molecules and molecular-scale structures to enhance existing technology and develop new materials and devices. The goal of this technology is to manipulate atomic and molecular particles to create devices that are thousands of times smaller and faster than those of the current microtechnologies.
    phonon
    A phonon is a quantum of vibrational energy associated with the periodic motion of atoms or molecules in a crystalline lattice. In simpler terms, phonons are quanta of lattice vibrations in a solid material. They represent the collective vibrational modes of atoms or groups of atoms in a crystal lattice and play a crucial role in understanding the thermal and mechanical properties of materials. Key points about phonons include: Quantization of vibrational energy: Similar to photons for...
    photonics
    The technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is the photon. The science includes light emission, transmission, deflection, amplification and detection by optical components and instruments, lasers and other light sources, fiber optics, electro-optical instrumentation, related hardware and electronics, and sophisticated systems. The range of applications of photonics extends from energy generation to detection to communications and...
    air conditioneralloyBCBed Poudelbismuth antimony tellurideBoston Collegecar exhaustDresselhausenergyexhaustGang ChenGMZ EnergyJunming Liumicro-coolerMicroscopyMike ClaryMildredMITNanjing UniversitynanonanoscopicnanostructurenanotechnologyNews & Featuresphononphotonicspower generatorsemiconductorssolarTEthermoelectricZhifeng Ren

    We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.