Purpose of the development: Preparation of nano-and microwires with high thermoelectric efficiency and anisotropy of thermopower in different temperature ranges to design miniature thermoelectric energy converters for various purposes. In particular, microthermogenerators with low current consumption (for hearing aids) by using the heat of a human body, as well as for highly sensitive thermocouples and cooling devices of submicron size in medicine, neurosurgery and oncology, as well as in cytological examinations. The observed sensitivity of transport to the spin opens up the possibility of using the nanowires in nanoelectronics and spintronics.

Recommended application field: At present, nanowires in glass insulation are of interest for scientific researches for all Laboratories and Institutes involved in nanotechnologies. In practical aspects, they will be of interest after the preparation of a sensitive sensor on their basis in the form of sensitive thermocouples or microcoolers for medical purposes, which can be used in neurosurgery and cytological studies.

Technical characteristic: For the first time glass-insulated single-crystal bismuth nanowires with the diameters up to 40 nm, in which the quantum size effect of the energy spectrum and semimetal-semiconductor transitions accompanied by an increase in thermoelectric efficiency occur, were prepared. Glass-insulated microwires based on BiSb and Bi2Те3 of n and p type with high thermoelectric parameters, which make them applicable in cooling devices in medicine and cytological examinations, were prepared. High anisotropy of thermopower revealed in BiSn wires gives the possibility to use them for designing an experimental model of the thermoelectric generator with low current consumption, which can be utilized in aids devices. For the firs time equidistant oscillations in a direct magnetic field with the period of flux hc/2e were detected in Bi wires with d=50 nm; they are attributed to electron spin from the surface state; this makes it possible to use them in spintronics and nanoelectronics.

Advantages over analogues: Glass-insulated wires are single crystals with reproducible parameters; they are stable over time. The advantage is that the wires are protected from the environment. Sensors on their basis are resistant to mechanical stress and aggressive media. In addition, manufacturability and waste-free production make them unrivaled. There are exclusive features of thermoelectric cooling (based on glass-insulated wires) in medicine in comparison with the cryoliquid cooling systems, which include: 1. almost instantaneous change of the cooling and heating modes, 2. extremely simple control of cooling-heating mode through supply current change, 3. the design of thermoelectric coolers in the form of microthermocouples in a glass envelope make it possible reach almost any interior regions of the human body.

The development stage readiness: Finishing off is required

Description of the development:
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The glass-insulated wires with specified diameters and lengths up to tens of meters were obtained by liquid phase casting using the improved Ulitovsky method. Monocrystallinity and orientation of the wires were tested by the X-ray diffraction method (diffractometer Oxford Instruments …). Preparation of high-performance thermoelectric materials in the form of glass-coated single-crystal micro- and nanowires is technologically advanced and almost waste-free production, which makes it economically sound in comparison with the known technologies for the preparation of similar bulk thermoelectric materials.

Information about newness of the development:
there are Ukrainian patents -- 2 items

corresponds technical description
Reguires revision

Possibility of transfer abroad:
Licence's sale
Combinated reduction to industrial level

Photo

Country Moldova

For additional information turn to:
E-mail: gal@uintei.kiev.ua