Seminar: Practical Considerations for Use of Thermoelectric Materials in Automotive Applications

Abstract

Thermoelectric (TE) devices have received renewed attention in the past decade for expanded use in light-duty automotive applications.  Governmental organizations and private corporations world-wide are sponsoring research at both the basic materials level, as well as for applied research and technology demonstrations.  This funding has led to measurable improvement in TE device cost and efficiency, as well as spurring the emergence and growth of a vertically-integrated TE industry.  The two broad categories of applications that have been considered for thermoelectrics are power generation through waste-heat recovery and cabin climate control through the use of TE heat pumps.  Neither of these uses of TE devices has ever been commercialized in large-scale vehicle applications, in large part due to the challenges of low device efficiency and high costs.  It is not yet clear whether TEs will emerge as a winner in the marketplace in the near- or long-term, since the win-lose equation may be largely driven by evolving government regulations and global trends.  With governments and industry around the world placing substantial financial bets on the promise of this technology to help address national and global concerns for reducing CO2 and hydrocarbon consumption, it makes sense for the automotive industry to leverage this investment and to re-evaluate TE-based technology for use in vehicles.  In this discussion, we will explore the commercial, economic, and technological requirements necessary for thermoelectrics to emerge as a winner in the automotive technology race.

About the Speaker

Clay Maranville has over 23 years of research and engineering experience.  He is currently a group leader and a Principal Research Scientist in Ford Motor Company's Research & Advanced Engineering (R&A) organization, where his research focuses on developing and integrating advanced materials and technologies into Ford products.  Before coming to Ford, he worked at The Boeing Company as a Research Engineer and was responsible for development of new materials and characterization technologies.  He holds Master’s Degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Iowa State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.  He holds 27 patents, has over 30 scientific publications, and is a peer reviewer for the US Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and several journal publications.

Hosted by Professor Joseph Heremans