Reversible thermoelectric nanomaterials

TL;DR

This paper explores conditions for achieving reversible electron transport in nanostructured thermoelectric materials, potentially explaining their high efficiencies and advancing thermoelectric technology.

Contribution

It derives conditions for reversible diffusive electron transport in nanostructured thermoelectrics, linking quantum optical heat engine mechanisms to thermoelectric efficiency.

Findings

Reversible electron transport can be achieved in nanostructured thermoelectrics.

Quantum mechanisms may explain high efficiencies in nanostructured thermoelectric materials.

The results suggest pathways to improve thermoelectric device performance.

Abstract

Irreversible effects in thermoelectric materials limit their efficiency and economy for applications in power generation and refrigeration. While electron transport is unavoidably irreversible in bulk materials, here we derive conditions under which reversible diffusive electron transport can be achieved in nanostructured thermoelectric materials via the same physical mechanism utilized in quantum optical heat engines. Our results may provide a physical explanation for the very high efficiencies recently reported for nanostructured thermoelectric materials such as quantum-dot superlattices.