KRICT Advances Eco-Friendly High-Performance Ag₂Se Thermoelectric Materials
A research team at KRICT has developed a high-performance thermoelectric material using silver selenide (Ag₂Se), synthesized under milder conditions compared to conventional methods. This innovation enhances energy efficiency by converting waste heat into electricity, addressing the limitations of traditional bismuth telluride (Bi₂Te₃) materials, which rely on rare elements and complex production processes.
Theia Market Signal Identification - AI Assisted
The team, led by Dr. Young Hun Kang at the Korean Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), synthesized Ag₂Se nanoparticles with an excess of selenium, creating a selenium-rich composition (Ag₂Se₁.₂). The optimized material achieved a maximum figure of merit (zT) of 0.927 at 393 K, nearing the performance of Bi₂Te₃-based thermoelectrics.
Notably, the manufacturing process allows for the creation of dense structures through simple thermal treatment at approximately 350°C, avoiding the high-temperature and high-pressure requirements of traditional methods. This development provides a cost-effective solution for small-scale power generation systems in industrial processes, data centers, and solar thermal systems, and has potential applications in portable IoT devices and health sensors.
Comments