Nanoscale Thermoelectrics

For the efficient utilization of energy resources and the minimization of environmental damage, thermoelectric materials can play an important role by converting waste heat into electricity directly. Nanostructured thermoelectric materials have received much attention recently due to the potential for enhanced properties associated with size effects and quantum confinement. Nanoscale Thermoelectrics describes the theory underlying these phenomena, as well as various thermoelectric materials and nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes, SiGe nanowires, and graphene nanoribbons. Chapters written by leading scientists throughout the world are intended to create a fundamental bridge between thermoelectrics and nanotechnology, and to stimulate readers' interest in developing new types of thermoelectric materials and devices for power generation and other applications. Nanoscale Thermoelectrics is both a comprehensive introduction to the field and a guide to further research, and can be recommended for Physics, Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science departments.

Preface.- Chapter 1: Thermoelectric effects: semiclassical and quantum approaches from the Boltzmann transport equation.- Chapter 2: Electron transport engineering by nanostructures for efficient thermoelectrics.- Chapter 3: Thermal Conductivity of Particulate Nanocomposites.- Chapter 4: Nano Bulk Thermoelectrics: Concepts, Techniques, and Modeling.- Chapter 5: Control Thermal Conductivity of Semiconductor Nanowires: Phononics Engineering.- Chapter 6: Thermoelectric efficiency of nanowires with long range surface disorder.- Chapter 7: One-dimensional Bi-based Nanostructures for Thermoelectrics.- Chapter 8: Cerium, Samarium, Holmium Doped Bi88Sb12.- Chapter 9: Thermoelectric Properties of P-type Skutterudite Nanocomposites.- Chapter 10: Thermoelectric Properties of CoSb3 Based Skutterudites Filled by Group 13 Elements.- Chapter 11: Nanoscale Self-Assembled Oxide Bulk Thermoelectrics.- Chapter 12: Thermoelectric Properties of Carbon Nanotubes and Related One-dimensional Structures.- Chapter 13: The thermoelectric properties in graphene and graphene nanoribbons.- Chapter 14: Silicon nanostructures for thermoelectric applications.- Chapter 15: Modeling and Analysis of Strain Effects on Thermoelectric Figure of Merit in Si/Ge Nanocomposites.- Chapter 16: SiGe nanowires for thermoelectrics applications.- Index.