Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of purifying and doping a population of semiconductor nanocrystals. The method includes mixing the population of semiconductor nanocrystals having a first material system and a first ligand with a set of particles in the presence of a first solvent, the set of particles having a second material system which is different from the first material system and a second ligand which is different from the first ligand, to form a mixture. The method also includes facilitating a ligand exchange and an ionic exchange in the mixture, altering the first material system of the population of semiconductor nanocrystals to a third material system, different from the first material system and the second material system. The method includes sonicating the mixture and isolating the population of semiconductor nanocrystals having the third material system and the second ligand from the mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed are a thermoelectric material and a method of forming a thermoelectric material having an optimal stoichiometry, the method including obtaining a first precursor material, wherein the first precursor material is an antimony precursor, and obtaining a second precursor material, wherein the second precursor is chosen from the group consisting of a tellurium precursor and a selenium precursor. The method further includes combining the precursor materials, heating the combination of precursor materials, and isolating a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals from the heated precursor materials.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods of consolidating ball milled semiconductors. In one embodiment, the invention provides a thermoelectric material with enhanced thermoelectric (TE) performance, the thermoelectric material including a population of ball-milled particles mixed with a population of inorganic nanocrystals, wherein the inorganic nanocrystals act as a glue.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoelectric electrolysis system, the system including a thermoelectric device for deriving electricity from heat, an electrolysis device coupled to the thermoelectric device, an oxygen delivery system connected to the electrolysis device; and a hydrogen delivery system connected to the electrolysis device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a thermoelectric device produced by a method utilizing consolidation techniques and a method of producing a thermoelectric device. The method can include layering a first powdered conductor in a die, layering a first powdered semiconductor material on the first powdered conductor layer, layering a second powdered conductor in the die, and consolidating each of the layers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoelectric module and a method of producing a thermoelectric module via printing techniques. The method can include providing a first ink, the first ink including a first population of n-material semiconductor nanomaterials suspended in a solvent, and providing a second ink, the second ink including a second population of p-material semiconductor nanomaterials suspended in a solvent. Further, the method can include printing the first ink and the second ink on a substrate and applying a conducting layer electronically contacting both the first ink and the second ink printed on the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to creating semiconductor junctions with reduced contact resistance. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of forming a composition of material, the method comprising: providing at least two populations of semiconducting materials; layering the at least two populations of semiconducting materials to form at least two layers; and consolidating the at least two populations of semiconducting materials, wherein the consolidating creates an electrical connection between the at least two layers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to creating semiconductor junctions with reduced contact resistance. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of forming a composition of material, the method comprising: providing at least two populations of semiconducting materials; layering the at least two populations of semiconducting materials to form at least two layers; and consolidating the at least two populations of semiconducting materials, wherein the consolidating creates an electrical connection between the at least two layers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of crystallizing a semiconductor nanocrystal population including suspending the semiconductor nanocrystal population in a high boiling point solvent to form a solution and heating the solution to a temperature of approximately 100° C. to approximately 400° C. Further disclosed is a method of crystallizing a semiconductor nanocrystal population including drying the semiconductor nanocrystal population into a powder, placing the powder into a ball mill, and ball milling the powder for a duration of time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an oxide coated semiconductor nanocrystal population and a method of synthesizing the oxide coated semiconductor nanocrystal population. The method includes coating a semiconductor nanocrystal population with a species capable of being oxidized to create a coated semiconductor nanocrystal population. The method further includes exposing the coated semiconductor nanocrystal population to oxygen to create the oxide coated semiconductor nanocrystal population. Further disclosed herein is a consolidated material and a method of consolidating a material from the oxide coated semiconductor nanocrystal population.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a consolidated material and a method of consolidating a mixture of materials. The method can include providing a first material with the first material being substantially fully crystallized. The method may also include providing a second material, wherein the second material is partially crystallized. The method may further include combining the first material and the second material into a mixed material and consolidating the mixed material into a consolidated material. Further disclosed is a consolidated material made according to this method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to creating semiconductor junctions with reduced contact resistance. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of forming a composition of material, the method comprising: providing at least two populations of semiconducting materials; layering the at least two populations of semiconducting materials to form at least two layers; and consolidating the at least two populations of semiconducting materials, wherein the consolidating creates an electrical connection between the at least two layers.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method of forming a thermoelectric material having an optimized stoichiometry, the method comprising: reacting a precursor material including a population of nanocrystals with a first ionic solution and a second ionic solution to form a reacted mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of purifying and doping a population of semiconductor nanocrystals. The method includes mixing the population of semiconductor nanocrystals having a first material system and a first ligand with a set of particles in the presence of a first solvent, the set of particles having a second material system which is different from the first material system and a second ligand which is different from the first ligand, to form a mixture. The method also includes facilitating a ligand exchange and an ionic exchange in the mixture, altering the first material system of the population of semiconductor nanocrystals to a third material system, different from the first material system and the second material system. The method includes sonicating the mixture and isolating the population of semiconductor nanocrystals having the third material system and the second ligand from the mixture.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to increasing the thermoelectric performance of a material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of synthesizing a nanocrystal. The method can include reacting a bismuth material, an antimony material, and a ligand together with a heat source. The method may also include injecting a sulfur precursor at a predetermined temperature and maintaining the predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time to form a plurality of precursor nanocrystals. The precursor nanocrystals may include Bi0.5Sb1.5S3 nanocrystals.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of synthesizing a nanocrystal. The method can include reacting a bismuth material, an antimony material, and a ligand together with a heat source. The method may also include injecting a sulfur precursor at a predetermined temperature and maintaining the predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time to form a plurality of precursor nanocrystals. The precursor nanocrystals may include Bi0.5Sb1.5S3 nanocrystals.

Abstract: Disclosed are a thermoelectric material and a method of forming a thermoelectric material having an optimal stoichiometry, the method including obtaining a first precursor material, wherein the first precursor material is an antimony precursor, and obtaining a second precursor material, wherein the second precursor is chosen from the group consisting of a tellurium precursor and a selenium precursor. The method further includes combining the precursor materials, heating the combination of precursor materials, and isolating a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals from the heated precursor materials.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is a method of forming a thermoelectric material having an optimized stoichiometry, the method comprising: reacting a precursor material including a population of nanocrystals with a first ionic solution and a second ionic solution to form a reacted mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of consolidating a powder. The method can include obtaining a powder of semiconductor nanocrystals, obtaining a material which will form a gas when heated, and combining the powder and the material into a combined powder. The method can also include consolidating the powder by applying heat and pressure to the combined powder.