Atomic-scale Field-effect Transistor as a Thermoelectric Power Generator and Self-powered Device

TL;DR

This paper investigates a nano-scale atomic junction's thermoelectric properties, demonstrating its potential as an efficient self-powered transistor device that converts heat into electrical energy with high efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a first-principles analysis of a metal-Br-Al nanojunction as a thermoelectric power generator and self-powered transistor, highlighting its high Seebeck coefficient and modulated electronic properties.

Findings

Large Seebeck coefficients enable efficient energy conversion.

The nanojunction can operate as a self-powered transistor.

Electrical properties can be tuned via gate voltages.

Abstract

Using first-principles approaches, we have investigated the thermoelectric properties and the energy conversion efficiency of the paired metal-Br-Al junction. Owing to the narrow states in the vicinity of the chemical potential, the nanojunction has large Seebeck coefficients such that it can be considered an efficient thermoelectric power generator. We also consider the nanojunction in a three-terminal geometry, where the current, voltage, power, and efficiency can be efficiently modulated by the gate voltages. Such current-voltage characteristics could be useful in the design of nano-scale electronic devices such, as a transistor or switch. Notably, the nanojunction as a transistor with a fixed finite temperature difference between electrodes can power itself using the Seebeck effect.