Apparatus, methods and system for temperature gradient aging with in-situ electrical monitoring
| DWPI Title: Apparatus for performing electrical measurements of thermoelectric material, has second temperature sensor that is configured to output indication of second temperature is temperature of second side of sample |
| Abstract: An apparatus for making in-situ electrical measurements of a sample while the sample is subjected to a temperature gradient between a first side of the sample and a second side of the sample. The apparatus comprises a first heater and a second heater that are positioned in contact with the first side of the sample and the second side of the sample, respectively. The first heater and the second heater comprise respective faces that each have electrical contacts embedded therein. Electrical measurements pertaining to the sample can be made by way of the electrical contacts embedded in the faces. A temperature at either side of the sample can be monitored by way of thermocouples positioned inside the heaters in proximity to the faces of the heaters. |
| Use: Apparatus for performing in-situ electrical measurements of thermoelectric material in isothermal oven. |
| Advantage: The apparatus is well-suited to analysis of the Soret effect and electromigration, which are driven by temperature gradients in a material and that affect electrical performance of a material. The electrically insulating tube is substantially or entirely composed of alumina, thus, conducting heat from the winding to the core while maintaining electrical isolation between the winding and core. The system facilitates generating a profile of the Seebeck coefficient of the sample over time. The cooling elements are used to cool the face of the heater, allowing a below-ambient temperature to be applied to a side of the sample that is in contact with the face of the first heater. |
| Novelty: The apparatus has a first heater (102) that comprises a first face (108). A second heater (104) comprises a second face (110). A sample is positioned between the first face and the second face such that a first side of the sample is in contact with the first face and a second side of the sample is in contact with the second face. The first terminal and the second terminal are electrically coupled to the voltage measurement device. The third terminal and the fourth terminal are electrically coupled to the current source. A first temperature sensor is configured to output an indication of a first temperature is a temperature of the first side of the sample. A second temperature sensor is configured to output an indication of a second temperature is a temperature of the second side of the sample. |
| Filed: 11/20/2018 |
| Application Number: US16196231A |
| Tech ID: SD 14160.1 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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