Abstract: An example electrolyte includes a solvent, a lithium salt, and a solvent-soluble film precursor. The solvent-soluble film precursor is selected from the group consisting of (Li2S)1—(P2S5)m—(YX2)n, wherein each of 1, m and n?0 but at least two of 1, m, or n is >0, Y is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ge, Si, and Sn, and X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of S, Se, and Te.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material includes a substrate particle and a plurality of conformal oxide layers formed on the substrate particle. The plurality of conformal oxide layers has a total oxide layer thickness ranging from about 2 nm to about 20 nm. The thermoelectric material excludes oxide nanoparticles. A method of making the thermoelectric material is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating a thermoelectric device and its associated thermoelectric elements in an inert atmosphere and a thermoelectric device fabricated by such method are described. These thermoelectric devices may be intended for use under conditions which would otherwise promote oxidation of the thermoelectric elements. The capsule is formed by securing a suitably-sized thin-walled strip of oxidation-resistant metal to the ceramic substrates which support the thermoelectric elements. The thin-walled metal strip is positioned to enclose the edges of the thermoelectric device and is secured to the substrates using gap-filling materials. The strip, substrates and gap-filling materials cooperatively encapsulate the thermoelectric elements and exclude oxygen and water vapor from atmospheric air so that the elements may be maintained in an inert, non-oxidizing environment.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for inserting elemental calcium and cerium as low cost fillers in n-type Co4Sb12 type skutterudite compositions for use in thermoelectric applications. It is found that the inclusion of calcium oxide (and to a lesser extent, cerium oxide) in the Co4Sb12 skutterudite compositions, as the filled-crystalline compositions are being made, markedly reduces the thermoelectric properties of the intended calcium-filled crystalline product. A synthesis process, including careful control of melt spinning of a melt of calcium-containing, or calcium and cerium-containing, cobalt and antimony composition, leads to the formation of substantially oxide-free, calcium filled-precursor particles that can be compacted, sintered, and transformed into calcium-filled n-type skutterudite billets that have excellent thermoelectric properties.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a thermal harvesting device that is positioned adjacent a heat-generating vehicle system. The thermal harvesting device generates electricity based on a temperature differential to power a sensor and a wireless transmitter.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a thermal harvesting device that is positioned adjacent a heat-generating vehicle system. The thermal harvesting device generates electricity based on a temperature differential in order to power a sensor and a wireless transmitter.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material includes a substrate particle and a plurality of conformal oxide layers formed on the substrate particle. The plurality of conformal oxide layers has a total oxide layer thickness ranging from about 2 nm to about 20 nm. The thermoelectric material excludes oxide nanoparticles. A method of making the thermoelectric material is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Practices are described for preparing fine-grain, stress-tolerant, brittle, doped semiconductor thermoelectric elements better suited to withstand thermal and mechanical loads without cracking or fracture. Preparation entails net shape powder processing of substantially isotropic thermoelectric compounds such as skutterudites under conditions which promote reduction of the largest grain sizes in a grain size distribution. Nearly three-fold improvements in fracture strength over conventionally-processed thermoelectric elements are observed. The net shape powder processing is adapted for the ready incorporation of the net shape thermoelectric elements into a thermoelectric device.

Abstract: State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations yield results consistent with the observed compound SiLi2Mg and provide likelihood of the availability of IrLi2Mg and RhLi2Mg. Similar calculations provide likelihood of the availability of YLi2MgHn, ZrLi2MgHn, NbLi2MgHn, MoLi2MgHn, TcLi2MgHn, RuLi2MgHn, RhLi2MgHn, LaLi2MgHn, Ce4+Li2MgHn, Ce3+Li2MgHn, PrLi2MgHn, NdLi2MgHn, PmLi2MgHn, SmLi2MgHn, EuLi2MgHn, GdLi2MgHn, TbLi2MgHn, DyLi2MgHn, HoLi2MgHn, ErLi2MgHn, TmLi2MgHn, YbLi2MgHn, LuLi2MgHn, HfLi2MgHn, TaLi2MgHn, ReLi2MgHn, OsLi2MgHn, and IrLi2MgHn (here n is an integer having a value in a particular compound of 4-7) as solid hydrides for the storage and release of hydrogen. Different hydrogen contents may be obtained in compounds having the same XLi2Mg crystal structures. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.

Abstract: State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations yield results consistent with the observed compound SiLi2Mg and provide likelihood of the availability of IrLi2Mg and RhLi2Mg. Similar calculations provide likelihood of the availability of YLi2MgHn, ZrLi2MgHn, NbLi2MgHn, MoLi2MgHn, TcLi2MgHn, RuLi2MgHn, RhLi2MgHn, LaLi2MgHn, Ce4+Li2MgHn, Ce3+Li2MgHn, PrLi2MgHn, NdLi2MgHn, PmLi2MgHn, SmLi2MgHn, EuLi2MgHn, GdLi2MgHn, TbLi2MgHn, DyLi2MgHn, HoLi2MgHn, ErLi2MgHn, TmLi2MgHn, YbLi2MgHn, LuLi2MgHn, HfLi2MgHn, TaLi2MgHn, ReLi2MgHn, OsLi2MgHn, and IrLi2MgHn (here n is an integer having a value in a particular compound of 4-7) as solid hydrides for the storage and release of hydrogen. Different hydrogen contents may be obtained in compounds having the same XLi2Mg crystal structures. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.