This book presents and facilitates new research and development results with hot topics in the thermoelectric generators (TEGs) field. Topics include: novel thin film; multilayer, composite and nanostructured thermoelectric materials; simulation of phenomena related to thermoelectricity; thermoelectric thin film and multilayer materials manufacturing technologies; measurement techniques for characterization; thermoelectric generators; and the simulation, modeling, design, thermal, and mechanical degradation problems. This book helps researchers tackle the challenges that still remain in creating cheap and effective TEGs and presents the latest trends and technologies in development and production of advanced thermoelectric generation devices.

Flexible Thermoelectric Polymers and Systems Comprehensive review of the rapidly evolving field of flexible thermoelectric polymers Flexible Thermoelectric Polymers and Systems delivers an expansive exploration of the most recent developments in flexible thermoelectric polymers and composites, as well as their applications in thermoelectric generators and Peltier coolers. The book focuses on novel designs and applications of technologies such as low-dimensional thermoelectric materials and how the latest advances have begun to overcome problems including poor mechanical flexibility and high fabrication costs. The book begins with a review of the fundamentals of thermoelectric materials, including discussions of the properties of thermoelectric materials, the Seebeck, Peltier, and Thomson effects, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and thermoelectric generators, cooling, and sensors. It goes on to discuss more advanced developments in the field, such as flexible thermoelectric plastics and the thermoelectric properties of conducting polymers with ionic conductors. The book also includes: Thorough introductions to thermoelectric materials and systems, as well as the chemistry and physics of intrinsically conductive polymers Comprehensive explorations of thermoelectric PEDOTs, p-type thermoelectric polymers, and N-type thermoelectric polymers Practical discussions of thermoelectric composites of carbon nanotubes, graphene, and nanomaterials In-depth examinations of polymer composites of inorganic thermoelectric semiconductors Perfect for academic and industrial researchers and engineers in physics, materials science, chemistry, and engineering, Flexible Thermoelectric Polymers and Systems is also an indispensable resource for graduate students and early-career professionals working in those fields.

This book summarises the significant progress made in organic thermoelectric materials, focusing on effective routes to minimize thermal conductivity and maximize power factor.

Polymeric foams or cellular or expanded polymers have characteristics that makes their usage possible for several industrial and household purposes. This book is focused on the recent advancements in the synthesis of polymer foams, various foaming methods, foaming technology, mechanical and physical properties, and the wide variety of its applications. Divided into 11 chapters, it explains empirical models connecting the geometrical structure of foams with their properties including structure-property relations. This book: Describes functional foams, their manufacturing methods, properties, and applications Covers various blowing agents, greener methods for foaming, and their emerging applicability Illustrates comparative information regarding polymeric foams and their recent developments with polymer nanocomposite foams Includes applications in mechanical, civil, biomedical, food packaging, electronics, health care industry, and acoustics fields Reviews elastomeric foams and their nanocomposite derivatives This book is aimed at researchers and graduate students in materials science, mechanical engineering, and polymer science.

Functionalized Graphene Nanocomposites and Their Derivatives: Synthesis, Processing and Applications explains how the functionalization technique is used to create graphene nanocomposites, also exploring its current uses in industrial applications. Graphene-based nanocomposites are one of the major advancements in polymer-based materials, thus the synthesis, nanoscale dimensions, high aspect ratio, mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of graphene and its derivative have all been major areas of research in the last decade. This important reference covers these updates and is a critical book for those working in the fields of materials processing and characterization. - Explains how graphene is functionalized and used in the fabrication of nanocomposites for a range of applications - Explores why the properties of functionalized graphene make it such a useful, versatile material - Describes, in detail, the functionalization process for utilization in graphene

Advancements in polymer nanocomposite foams have led to their application in a variety of fields, such as automotive, packaging, and insulation. Employing nanocomposites in foam formation enhances their property profiles, enabling a broader range of uses, from conventional to advanced applications. Since many factors affect the generation of nanostructured foams, a thorough understanding of structure–property relationships in foams is important. Polymer Nanocomposite Foams presents developments in various aspects of nanocomposite foams, providing information on using composite nanotechnology for making functional foams to serve a variety of applications. Featuring contributions from experts in the field, this book reviews synthesis and processing techniques for preparing poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite foams and discusses strategies for toughening polymer foams. It summarizes the effects of adding nanoclay on polypropylene foaming behavior and describes routes to starch foams for improved performance. The books also reviews progress in achieving high-performance lightweight polymer nanocomposite foams while keeping desired mechanical properties, examines hybrid polyurethane nanocomposite foams, and covers polymer–clay nanocomposite production. The final chapters present recent advances in the field of carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposite aerogels and related materials as well as a review of the nanocomposite foams generated from high-performance thermoplastics. Summing up the most recent research developments in the area of polymer nanocomposite foams, this book provides background information for readers new to the field and serves as a reference text for researchers.

Since their discovery in 1977, the evolution of conducting polymers has revolutionized modern science and technology. These polymers enjoy a special status in the area of materials science yet they are not as popular among young readers or common people when compared to other materials like metals, paper, plastics, rubber, textiles, ceramics and composites like concrete. Most importantly, much of the available literature in the form of papers, specific review articles and books is targeted either at advanced readers (scientists / technologists / engineers / senior academicians) or for those who are already familiar with the topic (doctoral / postdoctoral scholars). For a beginner or even school / college students, such compilations are bit difficult to access / digest. In fact, they need proper introduction to the topic of conducting polymers including their discovery, preparation, properties, applications and societal impact, using suitable examples and already known principles/knowledge/phenomenon. Further, active participation of readers in terms of "question & answers", "fill-in-the-blanks", "numerical" along with suitable answer key is necessary to maintain the interest and to initiate the "thought process". The readers also need to know about the drawbacks and any hazards of such materials. Therefore, I believe that a comprehensive source on the science / technology of conducting polymers which maintains a link between grass root fundamentals and state-of-the-art R&D is still missing from the open literature.