Molecular Foundry Seminar

"Thermoelectric and Optical Energy Conversion at the Nanoscale: 
the Large Impact of Small Interfaces,"

Dr. Jeff Urban, Staff Scientist, Inorganic Nanostructures Facility of The Molecular Foundry,

Tuesday, May 25th at 1:30 pm, Bldg. 67-Room 3111

Abstract:

This talk will focus on two central thrusts of my research at LBL.  The first section will describe efforts into developing new nanostructured composite materials with interfaces optimized for thermoelectric energy conversion.  I will focus on our newest work on water-processible polymer/inorganic composites with a ZT~0.2 and intriguing thermal conductivities as low as 0.088 W/m*K, although I will also highlight ongoing research in quantum dot- and composite-based systems as well.  The second portion of my talk will describe ongoing research into harnessing the unique properties of nanoscale interfaces to perform efficient upconversion and white-light generation at the nanoscale.  This section will detail the characterization, unique optical properties, and energy conversion potential of defect-dense Gallium Nitride nanowires.  Time-permitting, I will discuss our recent efforts on near-field imaging of photoinduced charge separation in nanoscale inorganic heterostructured materials.