Cel My recent discovery of the anomalously high thermoelectric power factor of ScN thin films demonstrates that unexpected thermoelectric materials can be found among the early transition-metal and rare-earth nitrides. Corroborated by first-principles calculations, we have well-founded hypotheses that these properties stem from nitrogen vacancies, dopants, and alloying, which introduce controllable sharp features with a large slope at the Fermi level, causing a drastically increased Seebeck coefficient. In-depth fundamental studies are needed to enable property tuning and materials design in these systems, to timely exploit my discovery and break new ground.The project concerns fundamental, primarily experimental, studies on scandium nitride-based and related single-phase and nanostructured films. The overall goal is to understand the complex correlations between electronic, thermal and thermoelectric properties and structural features such as layering, orientation, epitaxy, dopants and lattice defects. Ab initio calculations of band structures, mixing thermodynamics, and properties are integrated with the experimental activities. Novel mechanisms are proposed for drastic reduction of the thermal conductivity with retained high power factor. This will be realized by intentionally introduced secondary phases and artificial nanolaminates; the layering causing discontinuities in the phonon distribution and thus reducing thermal conductivity.My expertise in thin-film processing and advanced materials characterization places me in a unique position to pursue this novel high-gain approach to thermoelectrics, and an ERC starting grant will be essential in achieving critical mass and consolidating an internationally leading research platform. The scientific impact and vision is in pioneering an understanding of a novel class of thermoelectric materials with potential for thermoelectric devices for widespread use in environmentally friendly energy applications. Dziedzina nauki natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metalsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesthermodynamicsengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and films Program(-y) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Temat(-y) ERC-SG-PE5 - ERC Starting Grant - Materials and Synthesis Zaproszenie do składania wniosków ERC-2013-StG Zobacz inne projekty w ramach tego zaproszenia System finansowania ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Instytucja przyjmująca Linköping University Wkład UE € 1 499 976,00 Adres CAMPUS VALLA 581 83 Linköping Szwecja Zobacz na mapie Rodzaj działalności Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Kierownik naukowy Per Daniel Eklund (Dr.) Kontakt administracyjny Michael Lögdlund (Dr.) Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Koszt całkowity Brak danych Beneficjenci (1) Sortuj alfabetycznie Sortuj według wkładu UE Rozwiń wszystko Zwiń wszystko Linköping University Szwecja Wkład UE € 1 499 976,00 Adres CAMPUS VALLA 581 83 Linköping Zobacz na mapie Rodzaj działalności Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Kierownik naukowy Per Daniel Eklund (Dr.) Kontakt administracyjny Michael Lögdlund (Dr.) Linki Kontakt z organizacją Opens in new window Strona internetowa Opens in new window Koszt całkowity Brak danych