The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 15, 2015
Filed:
Jun. 14, 2007
Joshua M. O. Zide, Goleta, CA (US);
Arthur C. Gossard, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Ali Shakouri, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
John E. Bowers, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Joshua M. O. Zide, Goleta, CA (US);
Arthur C. Gossard, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Ali Shakouri, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
John E. Bowers, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
The Regents of the University of California, Oakland, CA (US);
Abstract
Composite epitaxial materials that comprise semimetallic ErAs nanoparticles or nanoislands epitaxially embedded in a semiconducting InGaAs matrix both as superlattices and randomly distributed throughout the matrix are disclosed. The presence of these particles increases the free electron concentration in the material while providing scattering centers for phonons. Electron concentration, mobility, and Seebeck coefficient of these materials are discussed and their potential for use in thermoelectric power generators is postulated. These composite materials in accordance with the present invention have high electrical conductivity, low thermal conductivity, and a high Seebeck coefficient. The ErAs nanoislands provides additional scattering mechanism for the mid to long wavelength phonon—the combination reduces the thermal conductivity below the alloy limit.