September 1995, Volume 7, Number 2
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XIV International Conference
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Abram F. Ioffe Inside TE News
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| Besides the traditional objectives of the
ICT conferences declared above, we would like to arrange
a wide forum for meeting of international thermoelectric
community and former USSR thermoelectric people. It was
and still is difficult enough for the majority of these
people to visit abroad but they possess such an
intellectual potential that such a meeting seemed to be
mutually beneficial. The main problem for the Organizing
Committee was to find funds to help some local
participants. It was not easy economically for many of
them to pay for travel even inside the country and for
the technical preparation of manuscripts on a modern
level. Fortunately, the Organizing Committee was able to
obtain significant support for local participants as a
result of the unexpectedly wide foreign attendance and
gracious internal and external sponsor support. There were 195 people in attendance at the Conference from 23 different countries. 86 attendees were from abroad:
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A total of 133 papers were
presented at the Conference. The topics are described in
Part II of this review. A very important problem was to find an effective method of paper presentation because the total amount of abstracts received was too great (181) for the traditional 3 days (2.5 days practically) conference format. Our decision was to prolong the Conference up to 4 days and organize active poster sessions intermixed with oral sessions. There were 3 full session days and an excursion to the thermoelectric lab of Ioffe Institute on the 4th day. We were amazed by an unexpected interest in the excursion to Ioffe Institute. There were about 80 participants! This is why we divided into several groups which went successively through the laboratory (instead of our original plan to organize more detailed discussions between a few experts). Another success of the Conference was very active technical exhibition. It attracted 14 contributors from 5 countries. The conferees had some additional possibilities for informal contacts at the Conference Reception (on 1st day), the Conference Banquet (on 2nd day) and during a nice bus excursion to Peterhof after official conference termination on the 4th day. Everyone seemed to enjoy the beautiful interiors of old Tsar family's palaces, where the reception and banquet took place. Many also enjoyed the short walks in the white night on foot and by boat through the famous old Petersburg. We hope they have found the time to visit other sights of the city, too. The white nights and excellent provided a perfect environment for exploring the many interesting sights of St. Petersburg. |
ICT95 Members at Ioffe Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia [Courtesy of Robert Fritz]
| Preparation of the
Conference Proceedings is now in progress. After the
deadline for presentation of final manuscripts and their
review, 120 papers were approved for inclusion, totaling
about 500 pages. We hope to print it before the end of
1995 and distribute immediately among the Conference
attendees who paid full registration fee. The Organizing
Committee hopes to have some extra copies of the
Proceedings which may be ordered by anyone via
M.V.Vedernikov ($100 + $15 for shipping). See contact
coordinates given below:
If one could evaluate the ICT95 as a successful
conference, we would like to thank, first of all,
conferees who had come from so many different countries.
Then I should note the very important role of the
Conference sponsors whose names were announced at the
Conference and will be indicated in the Proceedings.
Finally, I would like to personally thank the following
people for their effective assistance: ITS: |
Part II The topics presented at the conference were broken into the following 7 sections:
The section on low temperature thermoelectrics was the largest of the Conference. The researcher of Baikov Institute of Metallurgy (Ivanova L.D., Moscow, Russia) in cooperation with German scientists (H.Sussmann et al. Martin-Luther University, Halle/Wittenberg, Germany) presented a report on application of scanning thermoprobe technique for the determination of homogeneity of Bi_{0.5}Sb_{1.5}Te_{3} single crystals. These crystals, having diameter 35-45 mm and weight about 1kg, were grown by Czochralsky technique. It is known that the Seebeck coefficient of the single crystals in the region of solubility of tellurium changes from 150 to 260 V/K at room temperature. This parameter was used to determined a homogeneity of the single crystals in dependence on growth conditions. The result of this investigation was that the optimum conditions of perfect growth of single crystals of Bi_{0.5}Sb_{1.5}Te_{3} solid solution doped by Bi_{2}Se_{3} have been found. Other reports in the field of low temperature thermoelectrics were presented by researchers from many countries: USA, Russia, Ukraine, Japan, France, Korea and other countries. Some papers were devoted to bismuth-antimony single crystals. In the field of IV-VI semiconducting compounds (section B), the papers on unusual properties of Na impurity in lead-tin chalcogenides (L.V.Prokof'eva et |
| al., A.F.Ioffe Institute),
on different defects in PbTe-based materials (V.Fano et
al., Instituto di Scienze Fisiche dell'Universita Parma,
Italy) and on properties and possibility of application
of Indian galena (S.Chatterjee, MECON, S.R. Shannigrahi
et al., Indian Institute of Technology, India) were of
interest. M.I.Fedorov together with a group of scientists of
Ioffe Institute discussed some physical and economical
prospects of various semiconductors for thermoelectric
generators, including lead sulfide and selenide. Research of transition metal silicides developed in
Germany, Russia and Japan. Single crystals of iron
disilicide were prepared for the first time and
investigated experimentally by A.Heinrich (Institute of
Solid State and Material Science, Dresden, Germany)
together with some other researchers of Germany and
Russia. Analysis of the properties and the peculiarities of thermoelectric parameters optimization of the large class thermoelectrics on the base of silicon compounds and higher borides was presented by V.K.Zaitsev et al. (A.F.Ioffe Institute) It was shown that materials with the incommensurate structure (natural periodic barrier structure) and some semiconductors with strong electron-phonon interaction (with phonon drag effect) are prospective materials for thermoelectrogenerators. Several groups of different laboratories of USA obtained the detailed experimental results for the new thermoelectric material with the skutterudite structure, including IrSb_{3} (J.-P.Fleurial et al., JPL, Pasadena; G.S.Nolas, G.Slack, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, New York; T.M.Tritt, Naval Research Lab., Washington). Due to low thermal conductivity, the materials of the skutterudite family are prospective at high temperatures. The Me(I)Me(II)Sn alloys (Me(I) and Me(II) are transition metals as a new interesting thermoelectric materials with hopping conduction were prepared and researched experimentally by R.V.Skolozdra and N.D.Marchuk (Lviv State University, Inst. for Nuclear Research, Ukraine) and by Z.S.Tan and W.A.Jesser (University of Virginia, USA). |
The unusual thermoelectric composite
material based on opal with the nanosize superlattice of
metal or semiconductor clusters was investigated and
discussed by V.N.Bogomolov, Yu.I.Ravich et al. (A.F.Ioffe
Institute). Clusters were impregnated into cavities
between silica spheres, and a high thermopower arose due
to thermionic emission through gaps between clusters. The direction of thermoelectric thin films was represented with the papers by Yu.A.Boikov and his collaborators of Ioffe Institute. The investigation and elaboration of the thermoelectric devices, generators and coolers also advanced. R.J.Buist (TE Technology, Traverse City, USA) and C.A.B.Ball, J.Maddux, W.A.Jesser (working at the University of Virginia, USA) developed the earlier idea that the distributed Peltier effect in inhomogenious pellets (or extrinsic Thomson effect) can essentially enhance the performance coefficient and the maximum temperature differential of cooling device, therefore opening new possibilities for improving coolers. Detailed comparison of thermoelectric space power system with alternative conversion options (thermovoltaic and Stirling converters) was presented by A.Schock (Orbital Science Corporation, USA). The complex of problems connected with creation of effective nuclear thermoelectric generators was discussed by N.D.Marchuk (Institute for Nuclear Research, Ukraine). The different aspects of the analysis of quality of thermoelectric materials, coolers and generators were considered by D.M.Rowe and collaborators (University of Wales, Cardiff, UK). Finally, the impressive review of problems and prospects of thermoelectricity was presented by L.I.Anatychuk (Institute of Thermoelectricity, Ukraine) The above brief notes are not intended to be a full review of basic investigations, ideas and results presented at the ICT95. Nevertheless, we tried to show that this Conference reflected a rather detailed and objective picture of modern state of thermoelectrics in the world. |
Editor's Cornerby Richard J. Buist
Traverse City, Michigan, USA - Top on the list of activities reported in this issue is the ICT95 meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia. This was an historic meeting and it was inspiring to have visited the birthplace of modern-day thermoelectrics - The Ioffe Physicotechnical Institute. I think we all owe a debt of gratitude to Professor Marat Vedernikov and his staff for the wonderful job he did to make this meeting such a success! I hope you will read the President's Letter. It will, perhaps, provide you with a sense of how full our ITS advisory board docket is becoming. Incidentally, I would like to offer my congratulations to Dr. Michael Rowe, University of Wales, for being elected as an Honorary Officer and President Elect, to start in January, 1997. He is a true leader in the field of thermoelectrics and I am sure that you, along with me, will give him your full support as he helps us close out an amazing century for our industry! My personal favorite of this issue is the written and pictorial snap-shots of an "American in St. Petersburg" by Bob Fritz. I think that you will find it artistic, amusing and very interesting. Too bad you can't see his photos in color. They are beautiful. After attending the 12th ICT in Yokohama, Japan in November, 1993, (the largest ICT in history) I came away with a new sense of respect for the level of thermoelectric involvement in Japan. This strong support for thermoelectrics was not an isolated event. Note the article on the first domestic symposium on thermoelectrics in Japan and the fact that 160 people were in attendance. Couple this with the fact that Japan will host the FGM96 symposium which will include thermoelectrics. As you may know, this has been a subject of my personal interest and involvement since |
the 1960's. To top it off, it has now
been decided that Nagoya University, Japan will host
ICT98. For those who monitor the pulse of technology, this is a very healthy life-sign for thermoelectrics! If that doesn't convince you, please refer to the 129 publications listed herein relating to thermoelectrics. Incidentally, please thank B. Mathiprakasam of Midwest Research Institute for providing these updates. Finally, I hope that you will take notice of the next, ICT96, meeting scheduled for March 25-28, 1996 in Pasadena, CA, USA. This article contains all the information you need to participate. That meeting date is coming up quickly so I hope you will take the time and effort now to share your knowledge and insight by submitting your abstract. The deadline is December 15, 1995, so there is not much time left. Please do not miss this opportunity to participate. JPL is always a very interesting place for all scientists and engineers to visit and March is a great time to be in southern California. I'll see you there...
Thermoelectric News is produced by volunteer members of the International Thermoelectric Society and published by Brigham Young University. Contributions for future publications are always encouraged and should be sent to: Richard J. Buist, Editor |
| people gathered by Dr. Rao
in Arlington, Texas for a Short Course. Now, for the
first time, the ITS will have a formal, legal existence
appropriately reflecting our growth in recent years. Also approved was a motion to establish an annual Best
Paper Award, consisting of $500 to be awarded to the best
paper at each annual conference. Some preference will be
given to young and/or new contributors to the field, but
the Award will be open to all. Two Constitutional Amendments were suggested: 1) to
define the procedures and quorums for various society
votes (to be drafted by Mr. Buist), and 2) to establish a
kind of "Hall of Fame" to honor lifetime
contributions to the field (to be drafted by Mr.
Stockholm). I'm sure Mr. Buist and Mr. Stockholm would
welcome any comments or contributions you would care to
make to their efforts. Finally, an exciting new initiative by Dr.
Mathiprakasam is expected to result in an information
center for thermoelectricity. Details are to be
determined and may be limited by available funds, but it
is expected that a Society presence will be established
on the World Wide Web and that the center will provide
members better access to papers published in our field. As you can see, the Society Business meeting is not at
all dull and I wanted to take this opportunity to
communicate as much as possible about Society matters to
everyone concerned. And please remember that the Society
is YOU, so if we do not currently reflect your interests
the solution is simple: get involved. I or any of the
other Officers of the Society will be happy to listen to
any comments or suggestions you might have. Sincerely, Cronin B. Vining Please note my new address: Cronin B. Vining, Thermoelectrician |
Travel Notes of St. Petersburg 1995
by Robert Fritz
[Editor's Note: Robert Fritz is Manager of QMAX, LLC, San Mateo, CA, USA. Those who attended ICT95 and visited the Ioffe Institute will recall Mr. Fritz as the person who graciously offered to be absent from the photo in order to take the picture as shown on page 2 of this ITS Newsletter. He also took all of the photos shown in his article.]
| Entered Russia by train from
Helsinki. Low, rolling hills that decrease as we approach
St. Petersburg. This is a verdant forest of such beauty
that the occasional farm house seems vulgar. But at the
same time, someone is often seen moving, as if to market,
along the frequent and well worn foot paths in and out of
the birch trees.
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"To feel at home, stay at home." - Clifton Fadiman
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The Winter Palace and Hermitage on the Neva River
I'll be back..... |
Thermoelectrics Symposium '95 in Japanby Makoto Sakata, Kyourin University The first domestic symposium on thermoelectrics in Japan was held at Conference Hall of Shonan Institute of Technology, Fujisawa, Kanagawa on July 11, 1995. A total of 160 thermoelectric researchers and engineers from universities, government research institutes and private companies attended the symposium. Two special invited lectures (1. Thermoelectrics in Energy System: Dr. Tokio Ohta, former president of Yokohama National University and 2. Thermoelectric Energy Conversion in Magnetic Field: Prof. Seiiti Tanuma, Iwaki Meisei University) and 14 selected papers (4 papers on thermoelectric systems and 10 papers on thermoelectric materials) were presented in the one day meeting. The symposium was supported by Iketani Science and Technology Foundation. It was hosted by Shonan Institute of Technology this time. Those interested in the promotion of thermoelectric technology in Japan had the meeting to establish the Thermoelectric Energy Conversion Research Committee in November 1994. The members are: We would like to extend the communication ring to
people We hope to hold such a symposium in Japan once a year as one of our activities in the future. |
| [The print version of
Thermoelectric News had an announcement for ICT96 in this
space.] XV International Conference
on Thermoelectrics To obtain a copy of the Proceedings of the XV International Conference on Thermoelectrics held in Pasadena, California on March 26-29, 1996, payment should be made by check or money order payable to ICT96 in US funds ONLY. The post conference price of the Proceedings (comprising about 110 technical papers) is $125 plus shipping charges. |
Your payment should be
mailed to the following address: Jean-Pierre
Fleurial Shipping within the US: $10 total price: $135 |
Official
Notification Of Name Change From: "FUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT MATERIAL"
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Fourth
International Symposium on Functionally Graded Materials FGM '96
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SYMPOSIUM
SCHEDULE AND EVENTS Welcome Reception: Sun., October
20, 1996 SYMPOSIUM SITE The symposium will be held at the AIST Tsukuba Research Center, Tsukuba, located 50 km northwest of Narita International Airport and 60 km northeast of Tokyo. Blocks of rooms have been reserved for attendees at nearby hotels. Accommodation costs are about 7,000 Yen per night for a single room and 14,000 Yen per night for a double including breakfast. TECHNICAL TOUR Following the symposium, there will be a technical tour of several major research facilities engaged in FGM research in the Tsukuba scientific and industrial research area. SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS A Proceedings will be published after the Symposium. Authors will receive information about the preparation of manuscripts in the second announcement. DEADLINES Return request form:
October 31, 1995 REGISTRATION AND FEES The registration fee includes attendance at the
technical sessions, the proceedings volume, the
reception, the banquet, coffee break refreshments and the
farewell party. Students can attend only the technical
sessions. The cost of the post-Symposium Technical Tour
is 2000 Yen.
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CONFERENCE SECRETARY All symposium related correspondence should be directed to:
REQUEST FOR SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT To receive the second announcement for FGM '96 please return the following form via mail or fax no later than October 31, 1995. This form may be reproduced as needed. ----------Please send a copy of the following---------- Request for Second Announcement Name:_____________________________________ Organization:________________________________ Title/Position:________________________________ Address 1:__________________________________ Address 2: _________________________________ City:_____________________ State:_____________ Zip:_____________Country: ___________________ Ph: _______________________________________ FAX: _____________________________________ E-mail: ____________________________________ I am likely to: [ ] attend the symposium. [ ] join the technical tour. Preliminary title:___________________________________ --------------------Thank you-------------------- A second circular with additional information will be sent by February 1996 to all who have submitted request forms. |
1994-1995 Thermoelectric Literature
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| Territory | Contact | Phone | FAX |
| Pacific Asia - Japan, North and South Korea, China, Hong Kong, all the Pacific Islands, North and South Vietnam, Thailand | Kin-ichi Uemura | (81) 45 943-5908 | (81) 45 943-8491 |
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 The newsletter welcomes advertisements related to thermoelectrics. The rates are 1/4 page - $50, 1/2 page $80, and full page $120. Society members seeking jobs can place free ads (brief). Rates for job opportunities are $20 for up to four lines. To: K.R. Rao Professor of Electrical Engineering |
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for senior research scientist to work in thin-film thermoelectric materials and devices.
Please send resume to:
Ms. Marilyn Roper,
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Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.
1675 West Maple Road
Troy, Michigan 48084-5302
USA
Tel: 810/280-1900
FAX: 810/280-1456
Lunch conversation with
four Russian computer programmers revealed that
they've access to 486 and Pentium computers.
However, the labs and the scientists have a
somewhat restricted access simply because of
monetary constraints. 
There is quite a lot of
advertising for cigarettes, Dallas being the
brand name I see most often. Misha commented that
he thought "Advertising on this scale is a
temporary thing. It is aimed at such a narrow
audience that pretty soon they will have no more
new customers." 
person the Hermitage
costs about $8. If you can speak Russian you get
in for $0.40. While this offends the
sensibilities of some, it is just one more
reminder of the validity of a quote I found in a
travel book: 
refused
to let me carry my own bags! Nina, Misha's wife,
had to inspect the train cabin (overnight trip to
Moscow), inform the conductor that he's to take
care of me and then insists that I call upon
arrival in Moscow. I've another family. 
who are interested in
thermoelectrics in Japan.