University of Colorado

Government of the United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Commerce

Mahmoud I Hussein

Sedat H Biringen

Howard M Branz

Kristine A Bertness

Bruce L Davis

Joel Calvin Weber

Alec Kucala

Osama R Bilal

A nanophononic metamaterial-based thermoelectric energy conversion device and processes for fabricating a nanophononic metamaterial-based thermoelectric energy conversion device is provided. In one implementation, for example, a nanophononic metamaterial-based thermoelectric energy conversion device includes a first conductive pad, a second conductive pad, and a plurality of strip units. In one implementation, the first conductive pad is coupled to a first connection of the thermoelectric energy conversion device, and the second conductive pad is coupled to a second connection of the thermoelectric energy conversion device. The plurality of strip units are connected in series between the first and second conductive pads and provide a parallel heat transfer pathway. The strip units include a nanostructure design comprising a nanophononic metamaterial.

Thermoelectric devices based on nanophononic metamaterials

A phononic material and a method of using a phononic material for use in interacting with a fluid or solid flow are provided. The phononic material includes an interface surface and a subsurface feature. The interface surface is adapted to move in response to a pressure associated with at least one wave in a flow exerted on the interface surface. The subsurface feature extends from the interface surface. The subsurface feature comprises a phononic crystal or locally resonant metamaterial adapted to receive the at least one wave having the at least one frequency based upon the pressure from the flow via the interface surface and alter the phase of the at least one wave. The interface surface is adapted to vibrate at a frequency, phase and amplitude in response to the manipulated/altered phase of the at least one wave.

Phononic materials used to control flow behavior

A phononic material and a method of using a phononic material for use in interacting with a fluid or solid flow are provided. The phononic material includes an interface surface and a subsurface feature. The interface surface is adapted to move in response to a pressure, and/or velocity gradients, associated with complex motion of a turbulent flow exhibiting a polarity of frequencies exerted on the interface surface. The subsurface feature extends from the interface surface. The subsurface feature comprises a phononic crystal or locally resonant metamaterial adapted to receive the pressure, and/or velocity gradients, from the turbulent flow via the interface surface and alter the phase and amplitude of a polarity of frequency components of the turbulent flow in order to reduce or increase the kinetic energy of the turbulent flow. The interface surface is adapted to vibrate at a polarity of frequencies, phases and amplitudes in response to the frequency, phase and amplitude of at least one component of the turbulent flow.

Phononic materials used to control turbulent flow

Phononic metamaterials and methods for reducing the group velocities and the thermal conductivity in at least partially crystalline base material are provided, such as for thermoelectric energy conversion. In one implementation, a method for reducing thermal conductivity through an at least partially crystalline base material is provided. In another implementation, a phononic metamaterial structure is provided. The phononic metamaterial structure in this implementation includes: an at least partially crystalline base material configured to allow a plurality of phonons to move to provide thermal conduction through the base material; and at least one material coupled (e.g., as an inclusion, extending substructure, outer matrix, a coating to heavy inner inclusion, etc.) to the at least partially crystalline base material via at least one relatively compliant or soft material (e.g., graphite, rubber or polymer). The inclusion, extending substructure matrix or coating material is configured to generate at least one vibration mode by the oscillation of at least one atom within the resonating material to interact with the plurality of phonons moving within the base material and slow group velocities of at least a portion of the interacting phonons and reduce thermal conductivity through the base material.

Phononic metamaterials adapted for reduced thermal transport

Phononic metamaterials and methods for reducing the group velocities and the thermal conductivity in at least partially crystalline base material are provided, such as for thermoelectric energy conversion. In one implementation, a method for reducing thermal conductivity through an at least partially crystalline base material is provided. In another implementation, a phononic metamaterial structure is provided. The phononic metamaterial structure in this implementation includes: an at least partially crystalline base material configured to allow a plurality of phonons to move to provide thermal conduction through the base material; and at least one disordered (e.g., amorphous) material coupled (e.g., as an inclusion, extending substructure, outer matrix, a coating to heavy inner inclusion, etc.) to the at least partially crystalline base material. The at least one disordered material is configured to generate at least one vibration mode by the oscillation of at least one atom within the disordered material to interact with the plurality of phonons moving within the base material and slow group velocities of at least a portion of the interacting phonons and reduce thermal conductivity through the base material.

Phononic metamaterials comprising atomically disordered resonators

Nanophononic metamaterials and methods for reducing thermal conductivity in at least partially crystalline base material are provided, such as for thermoelectric energy conversion. In one implementation, a method for reducing thermal conductivity through an at least partially crystalline base material is provided. In another implementation, a nanophononic metamaterial structure is provided. The nanophononic metamaterial structure in this implementation includes: an at least partially crystalline base material configured to allow a plurality of phonons to move to provide thermal conduction through the base material; and at least one nanoscale locally resonant oscillator coupled to the at least partially crystalline base material. The at least one nanoscale locally resonant oscillator is configured to generate at least one vibration mode to interact with the plurality of phonons moving within the base material and slowing group velocities of at least a portion of the interacting phonons and reduce thermal conductivity through the base material.

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Superior, CO, United States of America

Mahmoud I Hussein