Next generation thermoelectric energy converters

Dette prosjektet tar sikte paa aa utnytte spillvarme fra elektrometallurgisk industri til a generere elektrisk kraft. Virksningsgraden for denne prosessen er ganske lav med bruk av halvledere. Vaar ide er aa bruke ioneledere, for derved aa oeke virkning sgraden.

The present project aims to further develop an already existing collaboration between the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the Northeastern University in China. The objective is to develop the next generation of thermoelectric energy con verters for recovery of waste heat from the high temperature industry. We propose to introduce a new class of thermoelectric systems, using electrochemical symmetric cells, as we see a potential to increase the power production by an order of magnitude c ompared to state-of-the art semiconductor systems. The first task of is to search for candidate systems with large Seebeck coefficients. In the second part, we focus on system design and maximization of the power generated from the thermoelectric system. The aim is to propose a system as simple and robust as the semiconductor devices for use in the industry. Four professors in each country, all with contacts to the metallurgical industry, are committed to the plan, and will provide a fertile environment f or exchange of young coworkers and master students.