SBIR Phase II: Thermo-Electric Conversion by Optimally Scaled Nanocomposite Materials

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will develop a power generation device capable of converting waste heat into electricity with much lower cost/watt than existing devices. This work is accomplished by bringing together principles of physics and materials science in practical wafer scale semiconductor manufacturing, enabling new, low cost products. The thermoelectric power generation devices to be developed in this work are key to realizing the often touted but yet unrealized societal benefits of thermoelectric power generation. Examples of benefits that can be forseen in the initial target market, the transportation industry, are economic benefits for the public from reduced fuel consumption and reduced environmental impact due to more efficient operation.