Open AccessPhotoelectric and Thermoelectric Dual Modulation Via a Ternary Composite
Author(s) -
Sun SamShajing,
Lee Harold Odell
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
global challenges
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2056-6646
DOI - 10.1002/gch2.201800077
Subject(s) - materials science , optoelectronics , thermoelectric effect , photoelectric effect , renewable energy , ternary operation , thermoelectric generator , thermoelectric cooling , photovoltaic system , composite number , nanotechnology , electrical engineering , composite material , physics , computer science , engineering , thermodynamics , programming language
Materials for simultaneous photoelectric and thermo‐electric dual conversions and modulations, where photon can modulate the thermoelectric conversion, and temperature can modulate the photoelectric conversion, may find potential applications where light (including a laser) can remotely turn on, turn off, or modulate a thermoelectric generator, a cooler, or a temperature sensor, and vice versa, temperature (heating/cooling) can turn on, turn off, or modulate a photoelectric device such as a photo detector or a solar cell. Here, it is demonstrated that such simultaneous dual conversion or modulation can be achieved via a ternary composite, e.g., a poly‐3‐hexyl‐thiophene thin‐film doped with both phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester and iodine. This finding may result in the development of lightweight, flexible shape, cost‐effective, renewable, environmentally friendly, biocompatible, and scalable materials, devices, and systems for clean energy harvestings (such as solar and waste heat dual energy harvesting) as well as light/heat dual‐sensing sensors, modulators, and controllers.