Xiao Yan

Bio: Xiao Yan is an academic researcher from Boston College. The author has contributed to research in topics: Thermoelectric effect & Thermoelectric materials. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 21 publications receiving 11779 citations. Previous affiliations of Xiao Yan include University of Houston.

High-Thermoelectric Performance of Nanostructured Bismuth Antimony Telluride Bulk Alloys

Abstract: The dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) in bismuth antimony telluride (BiSbTe) bulk alloys has remained around 1 for more than 50 years. We show that a peak ZT of 1.4 at 100°C can be achieved in a p-type nanocrystalline BiSbTe bulk alloy. These nanocrystalline bulk materials were made by hot pressing nanopowders that were ball-milled from crystalline ingots under inert conditions. Electrical transport measurements, coupled with microstructure studies and modeling, show that the ZT improvement is the result of low thermal conductivity caused by the increased phonon scattering by grain boundaries and defects. More importantly, ZT is about 1.2 at room temperature and 0.8 at 250°C, which makes these materials useful for cooling and power generation. Cooling devices that use these materials have produced high-temperature differences of 86°, 106°, and 119°C with hot-side temperatures set at 50°, 100°, and 150°C, respectively. This discovery sets the stage for use of a new nanocomposite approach in developing high-performance low-cost bulk thermoelectric materials.

High-performance flat-panel solar thermoelectric generators with high thermal concentration

Abstract: The conversion of sunlight into electricity has been dominated by photovoltaic and solar thermal power generation. A highly efficient solar to electric energy conversion device based on nanostructured thermoelectric materials and high solar concentration is now demonstrated. The results show potential for cost effective solar thermoelectric generation.

Experimental Studies on Anisotropic Thermoelectric Properties and Structures of n-Type Bi2Te2.7Se0.3

Abstract: The peak dimensionless thermoelectric figure-of-merit (ZT) of Bi2Te3-based n-type single crystals is about 085 in the ab plane at room temperature, which has not been improved over the last 50 years due to the high thermal conductivity of 165 W m−1 K−1 even though the power factor is 47 × 10−4 W m−1 K−2 In samples with random grain orientations, we found that the thermal conductivity can be decreased by making grain size smaller through ball milling and hot pressing, but the power factor decreased with a similar percentage, resulting in no gain in ZT Reorienting the ab planes of the small crystals by repressing the as-pressed samples enhanced the peak ZT from 085 to 104 at about 125 °C, a 22% improvement, mainly due to the more increase on power factor than on thermal conductivity Further improvement is expected when the ab plane of most of the small crystals is reoriented to the direction perpendicular to the press direction and grains are made even smaller

Two-Dimensional Nanosheets Produced by Liquid Exfoliation of Layered Materials

Abstract: If they could be easily exfoliated, layered materials would become a diverse source of two-dimensional crystals whose properties would be useful in applications ranging from electronics to energy storage. We show that layered compounds such as MoS2, WS2, MoSe2, MoTe2, TaSe2, NbSe2, NiTe2, BN, and Bi2Te3 can be efficiently dispersed in common solvents and can be deposited as individual flakes or formed into films. Electron microscopy strongly suggests that the material is exfoliated into individual layers. By blending this material with suspensions of other nanomaterials or polymer solutions, we can prepare hybrid dispersions or composites, which can be cast into films. We show that WS2 and MoS2 effectively reinforce polymers, whereas WS2/carbon nanotube hybrid films have high conductivity, leading to promising thermoelectric properties.

Cooling, heating, generating power, and recovering waste heat with thermoelectric systems.

Abstract: Thermoelectric materials are solid-state energy converters whose combination of thermal, electrical, and semiconducting properties allows them to be used to convert waste heat into electricity or electrical power directly into cooling and heating. These materials can be competitive with fluid-based systems, such as two-phase air-conditioning compressors or heat pumps, or used in smaller-scale applications such as in automobile seats, night-vision systems, and electrical-enclosure cooling. More widespread use of thermoelectrics requires not only improving the intrinsic energy-conversion efficiency of the materials but also implementing recent advancements in system architecture. These principles are illustrated with several proven and potential applications of thermoelectrics.

Prospects of Colloidal Nanocrystals for Electronic and Optoelectronic Applications

Abstract: Nanocrystals (NCs) discussed in this Review are tiny crystals of metals, semiconductors, and magnetic material consisting of hundreds to a few thousand atoms each. Their size ranges from 2-3 to about 20 nm. What is special about this size regime that placed NCs among the hottest research topics of the last decades? The quantum mechanical coupling * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: dvtalapin@uchicago.edu. † The University of Chicago. ‡ Argonne National Lab. Chem. Rev. 2010, 110, 389–458 389