WFU Physics Colloquium
TITLE: “Computational Engineering of Thermoelectric Materials”
SPEAKER: Professor Kristian Berland
Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology,
University of Oslo
TIME: Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, at 4:00 PM
PLACE: George P. Williams, Jr. Lecture Hall, (Olin 101)
There will be a reception with refreshments at 3:30 PM in the lounge. All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.
ABSTRACT
By converting heat to electricity and vice versa without the need for moving parts, thermoelectric modules have found many niche applications, such as in space exploration and mini-coolers. If even more progress is made on improving their conversion efficacy, they could also help recover some of the immense waste heat generated in power plants, transportation, and industrial processes. Based on examples from my own research, I will discuss how atomistic material modeling can aid the development of new and better thermoelectric materials. I will also illustrate how new methodologies can enhance the reliability of computational predictions on thermoelectric materials.