We obtained an analytical solution for the effective thermal conductivity of composites composed of orthotropic matrices and spherical inhomogeneities with interfacial thermal resistance using a micromechanics-based homogenization. We derived the closed form of a modified Eshelby tensor as a function of the interfacial thermal resistance. We then predicted the heat flux of a single inhomogeneity in the infinite media based on the modified Eshelby tensor, which was validated against the numerical results obtained from the finite element analysis. Based on the modified Eshelby tensor and the localization tensor accounting for the interfacial resistance, we derived an analytical expression for the effective thermal conductivity tensor for the composites by a mean-field approach called the Mori-Tanaka method. Our analytical prediction matched very well with the effective thermal conductivity obtained from finite element analysis with up to 10% inhomogeneity volume fraction.
We obtained the analytical expression for the effective thermoelectric properties and dimensionless figure of merit of a composite with interfacial electrical and thermal resistances using a micromechanics-based homogenisation. For the first time, we derived the Eshelby tensor for a spherical inclusion as a function of the interfacial resistances and obtained the solutions of the effective Seebeck coefficient and the electrical and thermal conductivities of a composite, which were validated against finite-element analysis (FEA). Our analytical predictions well match the effective properties obtained from FEA with an inclusion volume fraction up to 15%. Because the effective properties were derived with the assumption of a small temperature difference, we discuss a heuristic method for obtaining the effective properties in the case where a thermoelectric composite is subjected to a large temperature difference.
Defect Engineering
In article number 2100895, Yeon Sik Jung, Min‐Wook Oh, and co‐workers demonstrate the underlying defect chemistry on the rebounding power factor of an Na and Ag co‐doped PbTe. Excess Ag doping is proven to be effective to be the Te vacancy scavenger by forming interstitial Ag clusters, which is confirmed by advanced STEM and in situ characterizations.
We have investigated the effect of alloying metal elements on hydrogen solubility and mechanical integrity of Nb-based alloys, Nb15M1 (where M = Ca–Zn, Ge), using first principles-based calculations. In general, the chemical interaction between the interstitial H and metal is weakened as the alloying element is changed from an early to a late transition metal, leading to lower H solubility and higher resistance to H embrittlement. This effect becomes more pronounced when a smaller alloying element is used due to stronger elastic interaction between interstitial H and metal atoms. These finding may provide scientific basis for rational design of Nb-based hydrogen separation membranes with tailored H solubility to effectively suppress H embrittlement while maintaining excellent hydrogen permeation rate.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.