Identification number: lzp-2023/1-0528
Type: Latvian Council of Science Fundamental and Applied Research project
Project duration: 2024-2026
Project Leader: Ph.D. Inga Pudza, Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia
Total funding: 300 000 EUR
ISSP UL budget: 300 000 EUR
Project description:
Thermoelectricity has a great potential to increase energy efficiency by converting waste heat into electricity and limiting global warming. Recently, new so-called high-entropy multicomponent compounds containing at least five principal elements in similar concentrations, with excellent functional and mechanical properties have emerged. Such materials are promising, yet little explored for thermoelectric applications. In this fundamental project, we propose to develop the low, medium, and high entropy multicomponent solid solutions based on layered metal chalcogenide compounds for thermoelectric applications and investigate the correlation between their structure and properties using synchrotron radiation X-ray absorption spectroscopy combined with lab-based techniques and a set of advanced atomistic simulations such as reverse Monte Carlo (RMC), molecular dynamics (MD), and quantum chemistry calculations. The goal of this project is to explore the impact of individual components on the structure and thermoelectric properties of multicomponent chalcogenide compounds suitable for high-performance thermoelectric applications. The project addresses the main objectives of Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) of Latvia in the area of smart materials, technology and engineering systems.