Thermoelectric oxides for high-temperature conversion of solar and waste heat to electrical energy

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The project merges the strong initiative in structural and semiconductor physics of non-oxide thermoelectric materials at FERMiO, University of Oslo, with its stronghold in high temperature defect chemistry of oxides, in order to develop oxidic thermoelec trics for generation of electricity from concentrated solar heat and waste heat from fuel cells and engines at high temperature. This will increase the efficiency and the design alternatives for solar as well as hydrogen and fossil-based power. The projec t focuses on four tracks; fundamentals of complex cobaltous oxides, heavily doped or non-stoichiometric binary oxides, novel classes of thermoelectric oxides, and n/p-junction stability and performance issues. The project involves experimental and calcula tional studies within groups in materials chemistry and physics at the top-tier centre FERMiO, University of Oslo, with participation from SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, Oslo, and networking with universities in Sydney, Australia. The project runs for 3 years, educates one PhD and one post-doc researcher, and aims to form basis for involvement and commercialisation by Norwegian startups/SMEs in a next stage.