The London Organic Thermoelectrics Laboratory
Queen Mary, UCL and Imperial
On 29th November 2022, a team from QMUL visited the new Leicester Space Park where we were shown radioisotope thermoelectric generators being developed for space missions. The following day we were hosted by European Thermodynamics Ltd. After some discussions on QMUL & ETL progress on TEG devices and thermoelectric materials, we had a tour of their facilities for materials processing, materials characterisation and module assembly/testing.
Watch Dr Fenwick speak at the Hybrid and organic thermoelectric systems (HORATES) Summer School in Barcelona, May 2022.
Dr Fenwick discussed our results on halide perovskite thermoelectric materials at the Royal Society’s Meeting of Minds conference that brings together Royal Society fellowship holders. The conference aims to celebrate and showcase the full breadth of excellent research of the Society’s Research Fellows as well as creating opportunities for them to meet, exchange ideas and learn from one another.
A special issue of J. Phys. Energy guest edited by Dr Oliver Fenwick and Dr Jan-Willem Bos on New Directions in Thermoelectric Materials, Devices and Applications is now taking submissions.
(Deadline 30/9/2021)
Dr Fenwick’s work on the Materials for the Energy Transition roadmap was recognised in Physics World. He was quoted saying “The transition to net-zero emissions presents significant opportunities for new materials, and this is particularly the case for thermoelectric technology… The challenge is significant, but the opportunity for the UK in this sector is huge, with 17% of our CO2 emissions coming from space heating and cooling.”
Falling Walls Lab is an international showcase for the next generation of innovators, pioneers, creators and visionaries. The aim is to promote ideas and connect, globally, academia and business. Twenty MSCA fellows, including Dr Vanira Trifiletti, presented their research topic, innovative project, or idea to an audience of about 800 people. Watch her video entry below:
In May 2019 the UK Government became the first global economy to set a net zero emissions target for 2050, upgrading the previous target of delivering an 80% cut in emissions.
In response, the Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials, in collaboration with the Institute of Physics (IOP), convened the materials research communities to explore the critical role of novel materials and processes to deliver affordable, reliable and green energy. The output is a series of detailed technology roadmaps that set out how UK materials science can contribute to the UK’s low-carbon energy transition.
Dr Oliver Fenwick (SEMS) was the technical lead for one of the five technology roadmaps:
“The development of new or improved materials underpins most emerging technologies. Accordingly, the transition to net-zero emissions presents significant opportunities for new materials, and this is particularly the case for thermoelectric technology…. The challenge is significant, but the opportunity for the UK in this sector is huge, with 17% of our CO2 emissions coming from space heating and cooling. Breakthroughs in thermoelectrics can be achieved with sustained targeted research funding that addresses skills gaps, develops new advanced tools, and facilitates networking between stake-holders.”
https://www.royce.ac.uk/news/royce-launches-roadmaps-to-help-deliver-net-zero-targets/
Ceyla Asker has started her PhD in our labs. She will be working on halide perovskite thermoelectric materials.
In the renewal of his Royal Society University Research Fellowship, Dr Fenwick will be develop new low dimensional materials for energy applications.
Materials confined into low dimensional structures develop new properties that are not observed in the bulk. This includes new (opto)electronic and thermoelectric properties.
Our latest work on Enhanced control of self-doping in halide perovskites for improved thermoelectric performance has been highlighted by a number of news outlets. Read about it here, or the original article at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-13773-3
The London Organic Thermoelectrics Laboratory 