• [2012-10-30]

  Date posted: August 31 , 2012 A continuum theory of thermoelectric bodies and proposed large-scale application

Title: A continuum theory of thermoelectric bodies and proposed large-scale application

Speaker：Pro. Liping Liu

Host：Faxin Li

Time：15:00 pm

Date：September 4, 2012

Venue：Conference Room 210, Building No.1, Engineering College

Abstract:<span times="" new="" roman'"="">We develop a continuum theory for thermoelectric bodies following the framework of continuum mechanics and conforming to general principles of thermodynamics. For steady states, the governing equations for local fields are intrinsically nonlinear. However, under conditions of small variations of electrochemical potential, temperature and their gradients, the governing equations may be reduced to a linear elliptic system, which can be conveniently solved to determine behaviors of thermoelectric bodies. The linear theory is further applied to predict effective properties of thermoelectric composites. In particular, explicit formula of e ffective properties are obtained for simple microstructures of laminates and periodic E-inclusions, which implies useful design principles for engineering thermoelectric composites. We also discuss feasibility of large scale power generation by thermoelectric materials.

About the Speaker

1996-2000 Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanics and Engineering Science, Peking University
2000-2006 Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, University of Minnesota

2012-Present Assistant Professor, Dept. Mechanical Aerospace Engineering and Dept. Mathematics, Rutgers University
2008-2011 Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston
2006-2008 Postdoctor, Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology

AWARDS: BEST DISSERTATION AWARD, College of Sci & Engr, University of Minnesota, 2008; PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR, ASME at University of Houston, 2010; YIP, AFOSR, 2012