A team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Chicago are in the process of exploring how heat is transported in organic-inorganic hybrid materials by examining thermally-related behavior of nanocrystal arrays, in an effort to identify whether they could be an effective, low-cost replacement for single-crystal semiconductors in solar cells, solid-state lighting and thermoelectric energy generators.
According to the Carnegie Mellon researchers, previous work on nanocrystal arrays did not consider any thermally-related behavior or properties.
“Our work transcends several fundamental disciplines and has a direct impact on heat dissipation in organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Novel hybrid materials could be the next big thing in energy, where conventional semiconductors cannot be scalably produced and organic polymers cannot perform,” Carnegie Mellon researcher Jonathan A. Malen said.
While the research was non-conclusive on the inquiry into whether nanocrystal arrays are a suitable replacement for single crystal semiconductors, the research team determined that “the relatively low thermal conductivities of the nanocrystal arrays pose immediate challenges to heat dissipation in electronics and photonics.” In contrast, however, these properties may be beneficial to thermoelectric energy conversion devices “that are poised to improve energy efficiency by scavenging waste heat from power plants, automobiles, and even hand-held electronics.”
The researchers hope that further discussion and research on the subject will yield more conclusive results.
For more information, visit Carnegie Mellon University.
