| UI physics researchers solve thermoelectrics mystery |
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| Written by By Sophia Cai — Scripps-Howard Workshop Student | ||||||
| Thursday, 07 July 2005 | ||||||
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Energy-efficient cars, refrigerators that help pay for themselves and
heat-powered generators were all futuristic thoughts only 20 or 30
years ago. Thermoelectric research over the past couple of decades,
however, has helped scientists and engineers create early versions of
these high-tech machines, and a new finding may help speed up the
process. A research paper completed by University of Idaho physicist David McIlroy and colleagues has finally explained the age-old mystery of why zirconium telluride generates electricity when one side is cooler than the other, which may help thermoelectrics move to a new level. “There was a lot of activity 20 to 30 years ago to try to understand the workings of zirconium telluride. They made progress, but they exhausted the tools available at the time,” McIlroy said. The solution to the mystery, revealed decades later, was made possible by new technology and apparatuses, namely a synchrotron light at the University of Wisconsin. But the solution to this physics phenomenon has not only received attention because it put an end to the riddle. More importantly, the research may lead to materials that can convert heat to electricity, or vice versa. This published research could help other scientific fields improve upon older models of energy-efficient machines. The paper, titled “Phase transitions in quasi-2D structures,” was co-authored by McIlroy, graduates of UI at high-tech research facilities, and scientist from Clemson University and Ames National Laboratory. The novel results and implications of the research caused the paper to be chosen for the Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter “Top Papers 2004 Showcase.” Although the research was published in 2004, McIlroy just recently received word of the interest level surrounding this paper. Essentially, the paper explains that as energy moves from the hot side of zirconium telluride to the cold side, the energy is transformed into electricity. Likewise, if electricity is applied to the zirconium telluride, heat is produced. Now that the mystery surrounding zirconium telluride is solved, there are many more steps that must be taken before any real-life benefit can be seen. “The technology using zirconium telluride is not worthy of being used commercially yet, but the physics involved may, in the end, provide us with a roadway for finding new material that can be commercial,” McIlroy said. Although zirconium telluride is not applicable or cost-effective right now, the understanding of thermoelectrics revealed by these researchers could help other researchers find a more suitable, efficient material. This unknown material could be a factor in creating more efficient cars, airplanes, generators, refrigerators or other machines. One realistic application is to attach a device to the exhaust tube of a car that uses the heat loss as a source of electricity to power the clock or speedometer in present-day “monumentally inefficient” cars, explained McIlroy. This would result in a smaller alternator, which would save space and energy. Currently, car ice coolers use similar technology – they use the car battery to keep the refrigerator cool inside, and warmer outside. Factories could also save money by transforming heat energy in power plants into electricity, and selling that back to electricity companies, similar to windmill companies. As for McIlroy, he has done his part and is ready to move on with other research. “It was a fun project and I’m very happy with the results and the notoriety the paper received,” said McIlroy, who ended his research on this particular topic after five years. With the theories and experimental data produced through this research, researchers in other fields can pick up where these physicists and researchers left off. “We put a lot of time into this and our question is now answered. It has run its course,” said McIlroy. “Just like everything else, we have to evolve.” And thanks to McIlroy and his colleagues, thermoelectricity has begun a new stage in its own evolution.  Add as favorites (155) | Views: 3984
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