| Abstract Scope |
While microwave processing offers unique potential for developing novel materials and structures with exceptional transport properties, its application within the thermoelectric field remains surprisingly limited. This talk explores the impact of single-mode cavity microwave processing on the structural, thermal, and thermoelectric properties of various silicide and chalcogenide materials. We demonstrate that microwave-matter interactions induce unique microstructures that effectively decouple thermal and electrical transport, reducing thermal conductivity while enhancing the power factor to significantly boost the thermoelectric figure of merit (zT). As a rapid, volumetric technique, microwave processing enables simultaneous alloying, sintering, and decrystallization under non-equilibrium thermodynamic conditions. Our findings highlight the transformative potential of microwave-assisted synthesis for improving the zT, output power, and overall efficiency of next-generation thermoelectric compounds. |