Thermal and Electrical Systems Laboratory (TESLab)

Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Spain

Expertise

The team has wide expertise in both thermoelectricity and electrochemistry. Thermoelectricity research involves the development of advanced characterisation methods for thermoelectric (TE) materials and devices, the use of TE devices for sensing different thermal phenomena, and the combination of porous TE materials with electrolytes to enhance TE efficiency. In the field of electrochemistry, the group has experience in the fabrication and electrochemical characterisation of different systems, such as electrochromics, dye-sensitised solar cells, conducting polymers, porous electrodes, and ion intercalation systems.

Main tasks in the project

Fabrication, characterisation, and electrolyte optimisation of the solid-liquid devices prepared with the different solid materials. Provide support to the theoretical simulations for the proper integration of the electrochemical and thermoelectric phenomena.

Principal Investigator: Jorge García-Cañadas (Scopus Profile)

Jorge García-Cañadas obtained his PhD in Applied Physical Chemistry (2006) from the UJI Universitat Jaume I (Spain). He is currently a Ramón y Cajal researcher at the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Design of the UJI, where he leads the Thermal and Electrical Systems laboratory (TESLab).

Functional Nanomaterials Group

Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC), Spain

Expertise

The group has a wide expertise in the design and engineering of nanocomposites with controlled nanoscale parameters from the bottom-up assembly of nanoparticles. IREC team also fabricates TEs based on nanomaterials.

Main tasks in the project

Preparation and development of nanostructured porous TE oxide films with controlled porosity to be integrated in the solid-liquid devices.

Principal Investigator: Andreu Cabot (Scopus Profile)

Andreu Cabot obtained his PhD in Physics from the University of Barcelona (Spain) in 2003. He is currently a senior researcher and leader of the Functional Nanomaterials Group at the Department of Advanced Materials for Energy of IREC.

Nanochem Lab

KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden

Expertise

The team works on the design, synthesis, processing and characterisation of nanoparticles, nanocrystalline materials, and nanocomposites for energy, environment and biomedical applications. It has extensive experience in the fabrication and processing of TE materials and is well-equipped for nanoparticles and nanomaterials synthesis and characterisation. The group develops solution chemical routes for the fabrication of a variety of nanostructured TE materials, such as Bi-Te, Sb-Te, CoSb₃, and Cu₂Se with state-of-the-art performance.

Main tasks in the project

Preparation and development of nanostructured porous Bi-TE alloys with controlled porosity to be integrated in the solid-liquid devices.

Principal Investigator: Muhammet S. Toprak (Scopus Profile)

Muhammet Toprak received his PhD in Materials Chemistry at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), specialising in inorganic Materials Chemistry and Nanotechnology. He was appointed full Professor of Materials Chemistry in 2015 at KTH.

Computational Nanotechnology Laboratory

The University of Warwick, UK

Expertise

The Computational Nanotechnology Laboratory at Warwick focuses on theory and simulation of electronic, thermal, and TE transport phenomena in nanomaterials. The group focuses on DFT simulations of complex band structure materials, molecular dynamics, quantum and semiclassical transport for electrons and phonons, Monte Carlo simulations and heat and charge transport, as well as a small experimental activity in the TE properties of thin layer superlattices.

Main tasks in the project

To perform advanced simulations integrating the TE and electrochemcial phenomena in order to guide the optimisation and development of the solid-liquid devices.

Principal Investigator: Neophytos Neophytou (Scopus Profile)

Neophytos Neophytou received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2008 from Purdue University (USA). He is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Warwick and leads the Computational Nanotechnology Lab.

Solvionic, France

Expertise

Solvionic is an SME expert in the design, synthesis, production and commercialisation of ionic liquids, developed to maintain the high quality of the products while scaling-up production. The main market of Solvionic is that of electrochemical devices, and particularly, new generation electrochemical energy storage systems. Solvionic’s know-how allows the commercialisation of ionic liquids with the highest purity standard of the market. Solvionic is also an expert in the research and development of new materials and processes based on the use of ionic liquids.

Main tasks in the project

To fabricate and develop ionic liquids for the different TE materials families of the project. Solvionic will also develop solid electrolytes based on ionic liquids.

Principal Investigator: Sébastien Fantini (Scopus Profile)

Sébastien Fantini received his PhD in Materials Chemistry from the Université de Franche-Comté (France). He oversees R&D projects on electrochemistry and new materials based on ionic liquids in Solvionic since 2006.

Specific Polymers, France

Expertise

Specific Polymers is a SME acting as R&D service provider and chemical supplier in the field of functional monomers, polymers and materials with enhanced performance. With a lab-scale synthesis capacity from grams up to kilograms, Specific Polymers supports partners and consortiums to validate their proof-of-concept by providing already developed or custom-designed (macro)molecules of interest. Specific Polymers also works with a large network of toll-manufacturers in order to validate pilot or pre-industrial scale production and deliver needed quantities to implement demonstrators. The company has strong competences and skills in organic chemistry and masters several polymerization methods which allows preparing functional polymers with well-defined composition, architecture and functionality, including n-type and p-type conducting polymers.

Main tasks in the project

Synthesis and development of state-of-the-art TE conducting polymers with different doping levels and morphology to be integrated in the solid-liquid devices.

PI: Alain Graillot (Linkedin profile)

Alain Graillot obtained his PhD degree in polymer chemistry from Montpellier University in 2013. Today, Alain is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Specific Polymers and leads industrial and collaborative R&D projects. With more than 9 years experience in the field of polymers and material chemistry, Alain is in charge of the scientific and dissemination work related to more than 8 collaborative projects funded by different programmes (ANR, ADEME, FUI, FP7, H2020, DGA).