Moscow, Dec 10 (Representative) Industrial production is accompanied by the release of significant amounts of thermal energy, which in most cases is irretrievably lost, dissipating into the surrounding environment. Currently, more and more attention is being paid to the development of technologies aimed at utilising waste heat. A new approach to the development of thermoelectric materials that may potentially be used to convert industrial heat into electricity has been proposed by researchers from Russia’s National University of Science and Technology MISIS. The results of the new study have been published in the Journal of the European Ceramic Society. Industrial production is accompanied by the release of significant amounts of thermal energy, which in most cases is irretrievably lost, dissipating into the surrounding environment. Currently, more and more attention is being paid to the development of technologies aimed at utilising waste heat.
These technologies not only improve the energy efficiency of productive processes but also significantly reduce their environmental impact. A promising solution to this challenge is the use of thermoelectric materials, according to MISIS scientists. These materials have the unique ability to convert thermal energy directly into electrical energy. Researchers at Russia’s Don State Technical University (DSTU) have developed a concrete mixture incorporating biochar made from coffee grounds in collaboration with an international team of scientists. The MISIS scientists have developed a new material that, according to them, demonstrates improved thermoelectric characteristics at high temperatures compared to existing analogs.
“Our approach is not only more cost-effective and environmentally friendly but also provides additional tools for precise control of the structure and composition of materials, allowing for targeted improvement of their properties,” said project leader and leading expert at The Research Center of Engineering Ceramic Nanomaterials (RC ECN) at NUST MISIS, Sergey Yudin. The researchers believe that this development could be applied to thermoelectric generators, which could theoretically convert up to 20% of lost heat into electricity. This could potentially increase the energy efficiency of industrial processes and reduce the carbon footprint. The method is easily scalable and could be applied in countries with developed industries, such as the USA, China, India, or EU countries. This would help improve global energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, according to the study authors.