Project description
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.
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 (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2020-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.