The chemistry and physics of group 14 elements such as silicon and germanium have been extensively studied, largely due to their fundamental importance in the development of semiconductor electronics. In addition, crystalline open-framework and nano-porous materials are attracting increasing attention for their potential technological applications. Inorganic open-framework materials comprised of group 14 elements crystallizing in crystal structures known as clathrates are of particular interest. These materials correspond to expanded forms, and in some cases metastable allotropes, of silicon, germanium and tin. The novel crystal structures these materials possess are intimately related to the unique physical properties they exhibit. Just as interesting as the structure and properties group 14 clathrates display is the diverse range of synthetic techniques developed to synthesize and grow single crystals of these materials. This volume will encompass many of these aspects and describe their potential for important technological applications.

Thermoelectrics for Power Generation - A Look at Trends in the Technology is the first part of the InTech collection of international community works in the field of thermoelectric power generation. The authors from many counties have presented in this book their achievements and vision for the future development in different aspects of thermoelectric power generation. Remarkably, this hot topic unites together efforts of researchers and engineers from all continents of our planet. The reader will find in the book a lot of new interesting information concerning prospective materials for thermoelectric generators, both inorganic and organic; results of theoretical studies of materials characteristics; novel methods and apparatus for measuring performance of thermoelectric materials and devices; and thermoelectric power generator simulation, modeling, design, and practice.

The thesis focuses on the syntheses, structural characterizations and chemical bonding analyses for several ternary R–M–Ge (R = rare earth metal; M = another metal) intermetallics. The challenges in understanding the main interactions governing the chemistry of these compounds, which lead to our inability to predict their formation, structure and properties, are what provided the motivation for this study. In particular, the R2MGe6 (M = Li, Mg, Al, Cu, Zn, Pd, Ag), R4MGe10-x (M = Li, Mg), R2Pd3Ge5, Lu5Pd4Ge8, Lu3Pd4Ge4 and Yb2PdGe3 phases were synthesized and structurally characterized. Much effort was put into the stabilization of metastable phases, employing the innovative metal flux method, and into the accurate structure solution of twinned crystals. Cutting-edge position-space chemical bonding techniques were combined with new methodologies conceived to correctly describe the Ge–M, Ge–La and also La–M polar-covalent interactions for the La2MGe6 (M = Li, Mg, Al, Cu, Zn, Pd, Ag) series. The present results constitute a step forward in our comprehension of ternary germanide chemistry as well as providing a good playground for further investigations.

Thermoelectric Materials and Devices summarizes the latest research achievements over the past 20 years of thermoelectric material and devices, most notably including new theory and strategies of thermoelectric materials design and the new technology of device integration. The book's author has provided a bridge between the knowledge of basic physical/chemical principles and the fabrication technology of thermoelectric materials and devices, providing readers with research and development strategies for high performance thermoelectric materials and devices. It will be a vital resource for graduate students, researchers and technologists working in the field of energy conversion and the development of thermoelectric devices. - Discusses the new theory and methods of thermoelectric materials design - Combines scientific principles, along with synthesis and fabrication technologies in thermoelectric materials - Presents the design optimization and interface technology for thermoelectric devices - Introduces thermoelectric polymers and organic-inorganic thermoelectric composites

In recent years, novel families of materials have been discovered and significant improvements in classical thermoelectric materials have been made. Thermoelectric generators are now being used to harvest industrial heat waste and convert it into electricity. This is being utilized in communal incinerators, large smelters, and cement plants. Leading car and truck companies are developing thermoelectric power generators to collect heat from the exhaust systems of gasoline and diesel engines. Additionally, thermoelectric coolers are being used in a variety of picnic boxes, vessels used to transport transplant organs, and in air-conditioned seats of mid-size cars. Consisting of twenty-one chapters written by top researchers in the field, this book explores the major advancements being made in the material aspects of thermoelectricity and provides a critical assessment in regards to the broadening of application opportunities for thermoelectric energy conversion.

This volume: Chemistry, Physics and Materials Science of Thermoelectric Materials: Beyond Bismuth Telluride contains a series of topical articles that were presented as invited lectures by prominent leaders in this field at a workshop held in Traverse City, Michigan in the summer of 2002. These articles place the state of the art, regarding design principles, candidate materials and systems and current advances in context and should serve as a useful source of insights into this field for both beginning students and practitioners alike.