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International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA)

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[[Research Highlights Vol.87]MANA Scientists Usher in Advances in Thermoelectric Materials](https://mdr.nims.go.jp/datasets/71a28afa-54da-4813-954b-248027cf8348)

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MANA Scientists Usher in Advances in Thermoelectric Materials| MANAPrevious Index NextResearch Highlights[Vol. 87]MANA Scientists Usher in Advances in Thermoelectric Materials16 Feb, 2024Scientists from the Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) have nowenhanced Mg3(Sb, Bi)2-based alloys with molybdenum, paving the way for materials thatefficiently harness heat energy.Scientists from the Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) have now enhancedMg3(Sb, Bi)2-based alloys with molybdenum, paving the way for materials that efficiently harness heatenergy.Thermoelectric (TE) materials convert heat into electricity and can contribute to compensating for theglobal fossil fuel shortage. Their conversion mechanism relies on factors such as electron and vibrationalwave (phonon) scattering at grain boundaries (GB) that form between different crystal orientations in amaterial. Notably, some kinds of doping can show potential to optimize thermoelectric performance andenhance the heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency.Among promising TE materials are alloys containing magnesium and antimony or bismuth, denoted asMg3(Sb, Bi)2. Since reducing GB scattering can enhance their performance, it is worth probing howcertain kinds of doping can affect these alloys.Now, in a recent study led by Dr. Takao Mori, Group Leader of the Thermal Energy Materials Group atMANA, at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), along with first author Mr. Longquan Wang,Mg3(Sb, Bi)2-based alloys were enhanced by the addition of molybdenum (Mo). The team discoveredthat Mo aids electron movement by regulating the grain size and band structure (allowed energy levelsfor electrons in a solid). They also optimized the Sb to Bi ratio to restrain phonon transport byResearchQuantum Materials FieldNanomaterials FieldResearch SupportResearch HighlightsHot TopicsHome  > Research  > Research Highlights  > Vol. 87 New Leap in Flexible Electroni･･･About MANA Research People News Room Outreach Employment AlumniSite Map Contact Us Access to MANA Website System Requirements   Text size  Standard Large  Japanese Page2024/07/16 13:39 MANA Scientists Usher in Advances in Thermoelectric Materials| MANAhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/vol87.html 1/3https://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/vol86.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/vol88.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/quantum_material.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/nano_material.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/researcher_support.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/hottopics/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/jp/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/index.htmlhttp://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel/http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel/https://www.nims.go.jp/mana/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/about/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/member/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/news_room/2024.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/pror/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/recruit/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/alumni/index.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/siteinfo/sitemap.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/siteinfo/inquiry.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/siteinfo/access.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/siteinfo/accessibility.htmlhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/jp/research/highlights/vol87.htmlintroducing structural defects, reducing phonon group velocity and increasing atomic disorder. A single-leg device achieved close to 12% conversion efficiency.The practical implications of this study could have substantial real-world effects. Moreover, Mg3(Sb, Bi)2-based materials use abundant and low-cost elements, unlike alloys such as PbTe and GeTe, whichcontain rare and toxic elements. According to Dr. Mori: “With the intensifying energy consumption andenvironmental issues, recovering waste heat from industry, transportation, and daily life is an importantissue. Thermoelectric devices can directly convert heat into electricity, thereby providing a potentialsolution for the energy crisis and environmental issues.”In summary, MANA scientists have achieved improved thermoelectric performance in Mg3(Sb, Bi)2-basedmaterials, opening possibilities for developing materials capable of harvesting heat effectively.ReferenceJournal Advanced Energy MaterialsTitle Realizing High Thermoelectric Performance in N-Type Mg3(Sb, Bi)2-Based Materials via Synergetic MoAddition and Sb–Bi Ratio RefiningAuthors Longquan Wang, Naoki Sato, Ying Peng, Raju Chetty, Naoyuki Kawamoto, Duy Hieu Nguyen, Takao MoriAffiliations Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS),Namiki 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, JapanGraduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki305-8577, JapanCenter for Basic Research on Materiarls (CBRM), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-2-1,Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0047, JapanDOI 10.1002/aenm.202301667Contact informationResearch Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA)National Institute for Materials Science1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044 JapanPhone: +81-29-860-4710E-mail: mana-pr[AT]nims.go.jpTo receive our e-mail newsletter “MANA Research Highlights”, please send an e-mail with "MANA ResearchHighlights request” in the subject line or main text to the following address: mana-pr_at_nims.go.jp *Pleasechange "_at_ " in the email address to @.Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA)National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)1-1 Namiki Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044 JAPAN+81-29-860-4709E-mail: mana[AT]nims.go.jpPage Top2024/07/16 13:39 MANA Scientists Usher in Advances in Thermoelectric Materials| MANAhttps://www.nims.go.jp/mana/research/highlights/vol87.html 2/3https://samurai.nims.go.jp/profiles/sato_naoki?locale=enhttps://samurai.nims.go.jp/profiles/chetty_raju?locale=enhttps://samurai.nims.go.jp/profiles/kawamoto_naoyuki?locale=enhttps://samurai.nims.go.jp/profiles/mori_takao?locale=enhttps://www.nims.go.jp/eng/research/mana/index.htmlhttps://grad.pas.tsukuba.ac.jp/?lang=enhttps://www.nims.go.jp/cbrm/en/index.htmlhttps://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/aenm.202301667http://www.nims.go.jp/eng/index.htmlhttp://www.nims.go.jp/eng/index.htmlhttps://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel/index.htmlhttps://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel/index.htmlhttp://www.nims.go.jp/icys/http://www.nims.go.jp/icys/https://samurai.nims.go.jp/?locale=enhttps://samurai.nims.go.jp/?locale=enhttps://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tsta20/currenthttps://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tsta20/currenthttps://www.facebook.com/wpi.mana/https://www.facebook.com/wpi.mana/https://twitter.com/wpi_manahttps://twitter.com/wpi_manahttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVSuGvDIrL-ZAzpaPVipslwhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVSuGvDIrL-ZAzpaPVipslwCopyright © National Institute for Materials Science. 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