Nano-scale ’vibrational wave’ research could revolutionise super materials

A new Oxford University research collaboration could transform the design and development of a number of next generation materials, including thermoelectrics, which are used in products that support everyday life, capturing waste heat and recycling it into electricity. A new Oxford University research collaboration could transform the design and development of a number of next generation materials, including thermoelectrics. The research involves studying vibrational properties of matter, or phonons, at the nanoscale. The team have created a powerful way to study 'phonons' - the collective oscillation of the nuclei of atoms, which can be thought of as waves that control the way that heat or sound carry through materials. Thermoelectric materials are used in products that support everyday life, capturing waste heat and recycling it into electricity, for example recovering heat that is generated when a car brakes to recharge its battery, or using body heat to power wearable health monitoring devices. Like many other materials fields, there is a growing need in thermoelectrics for more effective, high performing materials to support the constant development of new products and applications, such as the automotive, medical and Internet of Things industries. Supported by powerful and versatile experimental techniques, the process of designing these materials is painstaking and meticulous, atom by atom.