Yanzhong Pei

Title: Yanzhong Pei: Innovator in Thermoelectric Materials

Introduction

Yanzhong Pei is a prominent inventor based in Alhambra, California. He has made significant contributions to the field of thermoelectric materials, holding a total of 4 patents. His work focuses on enhancing the performance of thermoelectric materials, which are crucial for energy conversion applications.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is titled "Heavily doped PbSe with high thermoelectric performance." This invention discloses heavily doped PbSe, demonstrating high thermoelectric performance. Thermoelectric property measurements indicated that PbSe is a high zT material suitable for mid-to-high temperature thermoelectric applications. At 850 K, a peak zT of >1.3 was observed when n = 1.0×10 cm. The invention also outlines strategies to improve the zT of PbTe, such as alloying with other elements, nanostructuring, and band modification, which may also enhance zT in PbSe.

Another significant patent is "High thermoelectric performance by convergence of bands in IV-VI semiconductors, heavily doped PbTe, and alloys/nanocomposites." This invention teaches an effective mechanism for enhancing thermoelectric performance through additional conductive bands. Using heavily doped p-PbTe materials as an example, it provides a quantitative explanation of how these additional bands affect the figure of merit. A high zT approaching 2 at elevated temperatures makes these materials excellent for thermoelectric applications.

Career Highlights

Yanzhong Pei is affiliated with the California Institute of Technology, where he continues to advance research in thermoelectric materials. His innovative work has positioned him as a key figure in the field, contributing to the development of materials that can significantly improve energy efficiency.

Collaborations

He has collaborated with notable colleagues, including G Jeffrey Snyder and Heng Wang, further enhancing the impact of his research through teamwork and shared expertise.

Conclusion

Yanzhong Pei's contributions to thermoelectric materials are noteworthy, with several patents that highlight his innovative approaches. His work not only advances scientific understanding but also has practical implications for energy conversion technologies.