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Nanostructured energy-harvesting thermoelectrics based on Mg2Si

Objective

The core concept of the ThermoMag project revolves around developing and delivering new energy-harvesting thermoelectric materials and proof-of-concept modules, based on nanostructured bulk Mg2Si solid solutions. This class of TE material would have the following attractive characteristics: (i) ZT value >1.5 for both n-type and p-type doped material, (ii) operational in the temperature range 300-550ºC, (iii) very low density of 2 g/cm3, especially suitable for transportation applications, (iv) high melting point of >1000ºC, and good thermal stability up to 600ºC, (v) good oxidation and corrosion resistance and mechanical strength, (vi) isotropic thermoelectric properties, (vii) non-toxicity of elements, (viii) widely-available pure materials with very large EU supply chains and (ix) low raw material cost <15 Euros/kg, combined with low manufacturing costs. A number of methods will be looked at to achieve 3D bulk nanocrystalline Mg2Si including low-cost combustion synthesis, mechanical alloying and high-temperature solid-state synthesis in inert crucibles. Various ball milling approaches will be used to produce doped Mg2Si nanoparticle constituents that can then be compressed via rapid spark plasma sintering or hot pressing in vacuum. 3D nanocomposite material will also be produced with the addition or in-situ production of inert nanoparticles, as well as thin films using multilayer approaches. Doping using various elements will be predicted by ab-initio density-functional theory modelling. These methods will lead to the safe production of nanostructured n- and p-type legs for further thermoelectric and materials testing. In order to prove the concept works, demonstrator modules will be assembled that integrate the new energy-harvesting nanostructured material. Such modules have widespread applications in automotive, aerospace and manufacturing sectors, where waste heat can be usefully recovered, with clear environmental benefits.

Call for proposal

FP7-NMP-2010-SMALL-4
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Coordinator

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
Address
24 Rue Du General Bertrand
75007 Paris
France

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Activity type
Other
Administrative Contact
Martin Zell (Dr.)
EU contribution
€ 661 094,50

Participants (16)

TERMO-GEN AB
Sweden
EU contribution
€ 198 112
Address
Hangvar Olarve 609
SE624 54 Lärbro

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Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Lennart Holmgren (Mr.)
JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED

Participation ended

United Kingdom
EU contribution
€ 6 265,50
Address
Abbey Road Whitley
CV3 4LF Coventry
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Mark Ellis (Mr.)
CENTRO RICERCHE FIAT SCPA
Italy
EU contribution
€ 213 000
Address
Strada Torino 50
10043 Orbassano

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Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Massimo Casali (Dr.)
VOLVO TECHNOLOGY AB
Sweden
EU contribution
€ 95 403
Address
Gotaverksgatan 10
405 08 Goteborg

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Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Louise De Verdier (Dr.)
AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE GMBH
Germany
EU contribution
€ 150 173
Address
Willy-messerschmitt-strasse 1
82024 Taufkirchen

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Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Peter Lilischkis (Mr.)
Babrow Consultants Ltd

Participation ended

United Kingdom
EU contribution
€ 43 500
Address
Trewernen House, Llantrisant Road, Church Vilage Rd .
CF382LT Pontypridd
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Mike Rowe (Prof.)
AKADEMIA GORNICZO-HUTNICZA IM. STANISLAWA STASZICA W KRAKOWIE
Poland
EU contribution
€ 304 800
Address
Al Adama Mickiewicza 30
30-059 Krakow

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Elzbieta Godlewska (Prof.)
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
United Kingdom
EU contribution
€ 298 487
Address
Newport Road 30 36
CF24 0DE Cardiff

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Nick Bodycombe (Mr.)
UNIVERSITE DE LORRAINE
France
EU contribution
€ 290 072
Address
Cours Leopold 34
54052 Nancy Cedex

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Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Hubert Scherrer (Prof.)
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
France
EU contribution
€ 283 532
Address
Rue Michel Ange 3
75794 Paris

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Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Aurélie Menard (Ms.)
ARISTOTELIO PANEPISTIMIO THESSALONIKIS
Greece
EU contribution
€ 183 700
Address
Kedea Building, Tritis Septemvriou, Aristotle University Campus
546 36 Thessaloniki

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Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Konstantinos Paraskevopoulos (Prof.)
UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS
Cyprus
EU contribution
€ 252 240
Address
Avenue Panepistimiou 2109 Aglantzi
1678 Nicosia

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Theodora Kyratsi (Dr.)
FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
Germany
EU contribution
€ 722 601
Address
Hansastrasse 27c
80686 Munchen

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Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Harald Böttner (Dr.)
IOFFE PHYSICO-TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OF THE RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Russia
EU contribution
€ 214 000
Address
26 Polytekhnicheskaya
194021 St Petersburg

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Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Mikhail Fedorov (Prof.)
TEGma AS
Norway
EU contribution
€ 70 000
Address
Andoyfaret 1-3, Bygg A 1
4623 Kristiansand

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Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Trygve Eidet (Dr.)
INSTITUT NATIONAL POLYTECHNIQUE DE LORRAINE

Participation ended

France
Address
Avenue De La Foret De Haye 2
54501 Vandoeuvre Les Nancy Cedex
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Hubert Scherrer (Prof.)