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Thermoelectric Metamaterials: Nano‐Waveguides for Thermoelectric Energy Conversion and Heat Management at the Nanoscale
Author(s) -
Zianni Xanthippi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced electronic materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.25
H-Index - 56
ISSN - 2199-160X
DOI - 10.1002/aelm.202100176
Subject(s) - thermoelectric effect , materials science , metamaterial , thermoelectric materials , phonon , condensed matter physics , thermal conduction , thermal conductivity , electron , optoelectronics , nanotechnology , engineering physics , physics , composite material , thermodynamics , quantum mechanics
The idea of using metamaterials for thermoelectrics was proposed 10 years ago. Enhanced thermoelectric effects and decreased thermal conduction are theoretically demonstrated due to modification of electrons and phonons by quantum interference between propagating and scattered waves at geometrical discontinuities. These structures are now considered promising for breakthrough in thermoelectric energy conversion and heat management at the nanoscale. They could ideally power the Internet of things. This review is devoted to electron and phonon transport properties of thermoelectric metamaterials in the quantum confinement regime. Enhanced thermoelectric effects and decreased thermal conductivity are related with geometrically induced fluctuations, resonances, quasi‐localized states, and minibands. Conduction fluctuations show generic behavior amenable to experimental confirmation. It is emphasized that both electrons and phonons are affected by geometry modulation and that, contrary to what is often assumed, their properties cannot be a priori tuned independently. Effects of periodicity and disorder on electrons and phonons in the same structures indicate strategies to design geometry modulation for high thermoelectric efficiency. Generic principles of operation boost prospects to make technologically important materials (e.g., Si, III–Vs, graphene) efficient thermoelectric materials. Geometrically enhanced thermoelectric properties and controlled heat conduction can cooperate with other functionalities of metamaterials for next‐generation nanodevices.