Tuning Quantum Interferences in Nanoscale Molecular Junctions for High Power and High Efficiency Energy Conversion
Abstract
Title: Tuning Quantum Interferences in Nanoscale Molecular Junctions for High Power and High Efficiency Energy ConversionObjective: Project seeks to experimentally establish that molecular junctions (MJ) can be used to performthermoelectric energy conversion with high efficiency and power output. It is well established that the transport properties of MJs strongly depend on both, the chemical composition of the electrodes and the molecular structure of the organic molecules. It is also now expected that precise tuning of the structure of MJs will ultimately allow engineering the functional propertiesof molecular based electronic and energy conversion devices. Approach: Recent computational studies of thermoelectric effects in MJs predict that it is possible to create extremely efficient and/or high power output thermoelectric devices operating near the Carnot/Curzon-Ahlborn (CA) limit by engineering transport via quantum interference effects. PIs propose to perform the first experiments to study the feasibility of performing thermoelectric energy conversion at the Carnot and the CA limits in molecular junctions.SOW: PIs will jointly carry out the following research tasks: 1. Development of three terminal mechanically controlled break-junction technique.2. Study of thermoelectric properties of Azobenzenes3. Study of thermoelectric properties of porphine-basedjunctions4. Study of thermoelectric properties of quinoid-basedjunctions5. Study of thermal transport in molecular junctions6. Testing the validity of Wiedemann-Franz law inmolecular junctions via three terminal thermal studies7. Collaborate with computational physicists andsynthetic chemists to create molecules that featurebox-car shaped transmission for efficient and highpower output thermoelectric energy conversion. Merit and Future Naval Relevance: Carbon-based molecular electronics is a key thrust in ONR s nanoelectronics program portfolio. Understanding thermal energy transport in molecular scale devices and circuits are in its infancy and will be critical important for future atomic-precision molecular engineering of carbon electronic devices and circuits, which will in turn enable revolutionary new capabilities in terms of power efficient computing technology for both defense and civilian applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141612672
Entities
People
- Pramod Reddy
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of California Regents