Towards a dynamical approach to the calculation of the figure of merit of thermoelectric nanoscale devices

TL;DR

This paper explores dynamic methods beyond traditional Landauer and Onsager models to improve the calculation of thermoelectric device efficiency, aiming to validate and extend current theoretical approaches for nanoscale energy conversion.

Contribution

It introduces alternative dynamical approaches that surpass Landauer's/Onsager's limitations for electronic transport in thermoelectric nanoscale devices.

Findings

Proposes dynamical methods for better electronic parameter calculation.

Validates traditional models against new approaches.

Addresses limitations of Landauer's/Onsager's methods.

Abstract

Research on thermoelectrical energy conversion, the reuse of waste heat produced by some mechanical or chemical processes to generate electricity, has recently gained some momentum. The calculation of the electronic parameters entering the figure of merit of this energy conversion, and therefore the discovery of efficient materials, is usually performed starting from the Landauer's approach to quantum transport coupled with the Onsager's linear response theory. As it is well known, that approach suffers of certain serious drawbacks. Here, we discuss alternative dynamical methods that can go beyond the validity of the Landauer's/Onsager's approach for electronic transport. They can be used to validate the predictions of the Landauer's/Onsager's approach and to investigate systems for which that approach has shown to be unsatisfactory.