Alan Garcia Olvera

US Patent:

20200028052, Jan 23, 2020

Filed:

Jun 19, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/445891

Inventors:

- Ann Arbor MI, US
Alan OLVERA - Huntington Beach CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

H01L 35/26
H01L 35/16
H01L 35/32
H01L 35/34

Abstract:

A thermoelectric composition is provided that includes a nanocomposite comprising a copper selenide (CuSe) matrix having a plurality of nanoinclusions comprising copper metal selenide (CuMSe) distributed therein. M may be selected from the group consisting of: indium (In), aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), and combinations thereof. The thermoelectric composition has an average figure of merit (ZT) of greater than or equal to about 1.5 at a temperature of less than or equal to about 850K (about 577 C.). Methods of making such a thermoelectric nanocomposite material by a sequential solid-state transformation of a CuSeprecursor are also provided.