Exploring Thermoelectric Properties of Nano Structures

1. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • Emery Kelly, Design and Technology Academy, North East ISD, San Antonio • Faculty Mentor – Dr. Choongho Yu, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering

2. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • Mentors • Dr. Choongho Yu Kyungwho Choi Yeontack Ryu

3. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • Objective of research • Overview of experiments • Data to be collected • What the data might tell us

4. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • Experiments Thin Film Polymer mix Thermoelectric Behavior of Segregated-Network Polymer Nano composites by Choongho Yu,* Yeon Seok Kim, Dasaroyong Kim, and Jaime C. Grunlan SEM results from Yeontack Ryu’s Research

5. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • The students will explore electrical properties of: • traditional bulk materials, • a nano carbontube film, • and a nano carbontube polymer composite. • Properties include: • resistance, • conductivity, • and thermoelectric power.

6. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • The relevant TEKS are: • 111.32. Algebra I • b) Foundations for functions: knowledge and skills and performance descriptions. • (1) The student understands that a function represents a dependence of one quantity on another and can be described in a variety of ways. • (B) The student gathers and records data, or uses data sets, to determine functional (systematic) relationships between quantities. • (C) The student describes functional relationships for given problem situations and writes equations or inequalities to answer questions arising from the situations.

7. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • The relevant TEKS are: • 111.32. Algebra I • b) Foundations for functions: knowledge and skills and performance descriptions. • (3) The student formulates equations and inequalities based on linear functions, uses a variety of methods to solve them, and analyzes the solutions in terms of the situation. • (A) The student analyzes situations involving linear functions and formulates linear equations or inequalities to solve problems. • (C) For given contexts, the student interprets and determines the reasonableness of solutions to linear equations and inequalities.

8. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • The relevant TEKS are: • 112.47. Physics. • (2) Scientific processes. The student uses scientific methods during field and laboratory investigations. • (B) make quantitative observations and measurements with precision. • (C) organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from data. • (D) communicate valid conclusions. • (E) graph data to observe and identify relationships between variables. • (F) read the scale on scientific instruments with precision.

9. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • The relevant TEKS are: • §112.47. Physics. • (3) Scientific processes. The student uses critical thinking and scientific problem solving to make informed decisions. • (C) evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the environment. • (D) describe the connection between physics and future careers; • (6) Science concepts. The student knows forces in nature. • (E) design and analyze electric circuits.

10. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • The lesson plan will take approximately one week • Day one • Pre-test • Build op-amp • Day two • Build op-amp

11. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • Op-amp

12. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • The lesson plan will take approximately one week • Day Three • Build four point measuring device • Day four • Finish measuring device • Conduct measurements on samples • Collect data in excel • Day Five • Finish data collection

13. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • Four point measurement device

14. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • The lesson plan will take approximately one week • Day six • Use MatLab to evaluate data • Draw conclusions • Day seven • Lecture/Open discussion • Post-test

15. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • Example true or false test questions: • Creating a temperature difference across a conductive material will also create an electrical potential difference. • Copper and silver have greater electrical current density than any currently known material. • Nano carbon tube polymer composites and copper electrical and thermo properties can be manipulated or designed.

16. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • Example true or false test questions: • Creating a temperature difference across a conductive material will also create an electrical potential difference. TRUE • Copper and silver have greater electrical current density than any currently known material. FALSE • Nano carbon tube polymer composites and copper electrical and thermo properties can be easily manipulated or designed. FALSE

17. Thermoelectrical Properties of Nano Structures • Acknowledgements • Texas A&M E3 Program, all the staff involved • National Science Foundation • Nuclear Power Institute • Texas Workforce Commission • Chevron • Dr. Yu, he let us be research engineers, yet he was always there as our safety net to help when needed