Abstract: A method of thermoelectric power generation by converting heat to electricity via the use of a ZrCoBi-based thermoelectric material, wherein a thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the ZrCoBi-based thermoelectric material is greater than or equal to 7% at a temperature difference of up to 800 K.

Abstract: A method of thermoelectric power generation by converting heat to electricity via the use of a ZrCoBi-based thermoelectric material, wherein a thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the ZrCoBi-based thermoelectric material is greater than or equal to 7% at a temperature difference of up to 800 K.

Abstract: A ZrCoBi-based p-type half-Heusler material can have a formula: ZrCoBi1-x-ySnxSby, where x can vary between 0.01 and 0.25, and y can vary between 0 and 0.2. An average dimensionless figure-of-merit (ZT) for the material can be greater than or equal to about 0.80 as calculated by an integration method for temperatures between 300 and 973 K. A ZrCoBi-based n-type half-Heusler material can have a formula: ZrCo1-xNixBi1-ySby, where x can vary between 0.01 and 0.25, and y can vary between 0 and 0.3. The material has an average dimensionless figure-of-merit (ZT) is greater than or equal to about 0.65 as calculated by an integration method for temperatures between 300 and 973 K.

Abstract: A ZrCoBi-based p-type half-Heusler material can have a formula: ZrCoBi1-x-ySnxSby, where x can vary between 0.01 and 0.25, and y can vary between 0 and 0.2. An average dimensionless figure-of-merit (ZT) for the material can be greater than or equal to about 0.80 as calculated by an integration method for temperatures between 300 and 973 K. A ZrCoBi-based n-type half-Heusler material can have a formula: ZrCo1-xNixBi1-ySby, where x can vary between 0.01 and 0.25, and y can vary between 0 and 0.3. The material has an average dimensionless figure-of-merit (ZT) is greater than or equal to about 0.65 as calculated by an integration method for temperatures between 300 and 973 K.

Abstract: A first network device determines that a central coordinator of a communication network cannot be detected and designates itself as a hidden network device. The first network device receives a beacon message from a second network device including a first communication parameter that indicates that the second network device has proxy capabilities and a second communication parameter. The first network device selects the second network device as its proxy network device, if the second communication parameter of the second network device is a preferred communication parameter as compared to a corresponding second parameter of an additional network device detected at the first network device. If the first network device is a proxy network device for a third network device, then messages received from the third network device for forwarding to the central coordinator are relayed from the first network device to the second network device.