Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S54999/01
Title:	New high performance thermoelectric materials with controlled architecture
Principal Investigator:	Vaqueiro Rodriguez, Dr P
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Organisation:	Heriot-Watt University
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 February 2004	Ends:	31 January 2007	Value (£):	81,458
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Characterisation Materials Processing Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Electronics Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:	Panel Date Panel Name Outcome 28 May 2003 Materials Fellowships Imterview Panel 2003 Deferred 25 Apr 2003 Materials Fellowships Sift Panel 2003 Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
The main aim of this project is the preparation of new thermoelectric (TE) materials, synthesized by a novel low temperature route. TE materials allow the conversion of thermal energy into electric energy and viceversa, and therefore the construction of TE devices used for cooling and power generation. Such devices offer considerable advantages over conventional systems including high reliability space and weight savings and precise temperature control. In addition they are environmentally friendly as they completely eliminate the need for harmful coolants in refrigeration. The relatively low efficiencies of existing TE materials have placed a limit on their application to date, but the discovery of higher performance TE materials would lead to a much wider range of applications.The best materials available today have been prepared by conventional high temperature routes and have relatively simple structures. However, the progress in synthetic methods in recent years allows the preparation of novel materials, with complex structures at relatively low temperatures. This opens many possibilities in the search for new TE materials and has already resulted in the preparation of some promising materials such as CsBi4Te6. By using a versatile low temperature synthetic route, novel TE materials will be designed. Investigation of the physical properties will identify promising materials and lead to an understanding of the relationshi between structure, properties and TE response.
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.hw.ac.uk