Project description DEENESFRITPL Development of next-generation energy materials Harnessing waste heat for electrical power is a vital step towards carbon neutrality. Currently, only a third of primary energy is converted into useful energy services. The rest is wasted as heat in the various industrial, transportation, residential energy conversion and electricity generation processes. This waste of energy needs to be addressed to mitigate the consequences of climate change. The ERC-funded NANO-DECTET project will explore ways to improve the efficiency of thermoelectric waste-heat-to-electricity conversion. To do so, it will use the unique physics of molecular organic semiconductors, as well as hybrid organic inorganic semiconductors, to make efficient, low-temperature thermoelectric materials. If successful, the project could make a significant contribution to improved energy efficiency. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Across the global energy economy only about 1/3 of primary energy is converted into useful energy services, the other 2/3 are wasted as heat in the various industrial, transportation, residential energy conversion and electricity generation processes. Given the urgent need for transitioning to a zero-carbon energy supply in order to mitigate dangerous consequences of climate change a waste of energy on this scale is scandalous. Thermoelectric waste-heat-to-electricity conversion could offer a potential solution but the performance of thermoelectric materials is currently insufficient, particularly for the majority of heat that is generated at low heat source temperatures below 300-400°C. Based on a recent scientific breakthrough I have become convinced that the unique characteristics of molecular, organic semiconductors (OSCs) could make them ideal, low-temperature thermoelectric materials, but the thermoelectric physics of this class of soft materials with complex microstructures and strong electron-phonon coupling remains as yet largely unexplored and poorly understood. The aim of this proposal is (a) to develop novel experimental methods for the nanoscale characterisation of the thermoelectric properties of a very promising new generation of molecular thermoelectric materials, (b) to achieve a clear fundamental understanding of their thermoelectric physics and how thermoelectric transport coefficients can be decoupled and enhanced independently in these materials and (c) to translate this into the design of high performance molecular thermoelectric materials with unprecedented performance ZT > 2-3 at temperatures < 300-400°C. This is a fundamental and interdisciplinary, high-risk research programme stretching across theory, condensed matter physics, chemistry and materials science as well device engineering. If successful the project could make a significant contribution to improved energy efficiency and a successful transition to a zero-carbon energy economy. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencescondensed matter physicsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpower engineeringelectric power generationnatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivitynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changesengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsenergy conversion Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2020-ADG - ERC ADVANCED GRANT Call for proposal ERC-2020-ADG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant Coordinator THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE Net EU contribution € 2 709 688,00 Address Trinity lane the old schools CB2 1TN Cambridge United Kingdom See on map Region East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE United Kingdom Net EU contribution € 2 709 688,00 Address Trinity lane the old schools CB2 1TN Cambridge See on map Region East of England East Anglia Cambridgeshire CC Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
