Institute of Materials Research - Characterisation of Functional Materials

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	SEnsor katalySAtor Messplatz (SESAM) Der speziell konstruierte Sensor- und Katalysator Messplatz (SESAM) kann Gasgemische aus bis zu acht Einzelgasen erzeugen und in einem Quarzglasreaktor auf bis zu 1200 °C erhitzen bevor es in den Probenraum strömt.
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	Elektrochemische Speichercharakterisierung Die elektrochemische Charakterisierung von elektrischen Energie-Speicherelektroden aus Metalloxiden, Graphen und dotierten Kohlenstoffen wird bei einem Potentiostat REF 3000 (Gamry Instrument) ausgestattet mit einem Electrochemical Energy Software PWR800™ durchgeführt.
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CTEM – Combined ThermoElectric Measurement

The CTEM – an in-house development of DLR in cooperation with the University of Halle-Wittenberg (Germany) – provides automated simultaneous measurements of the Seebeck coefficient, the thermal and electric conductivity, and the thermoelectric figure of merit (immediate measurement by the HARMAN method). Within one temperature sweep the CTEM joins temperature dependent measurements of four essential material quantities of a thermoelectric over a temperature range from 80-450 K on prismatic and cylindrical bulk samples.

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LFA – Laser flash apparatus

Measurement of thermal diffusivity The laser flash method is applied for in-house material development but also offered to external customers (industrial and institutes) as a reliable and convenient measurement technique. The thermal diffusivity is determined on homogenous materials as well as for coatings on known substrates using small disc-shaped specimens. Covering an application range from room temperature up to 1450 °C, the LFA fulfils the requirements for almost any material and system problem, including ceramic thermal barrier coatings and thermoelectric materials.

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High temperature measurement of Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity (300 K–1000 K)

An essential component of relevant characterisation of thermoelectric functional materials is the relation between Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity as well as their variation with temperature. A high-temperature facility for simultaneous measurement of both quantities under vacuum on cylindrical specimens was developed in the institute. Crucial points for its reliability are stable contacting of the specimen, precise temperature measurement, as well as quick and precise temperature control.

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Automated Hall facility - Determination of electric transport properties

Semiconductor properties such as concentration and mobility of the charge carriers provide important information for application-oriented improvement of thermoelectric materials. DLR´s Hall facility is equipped with a low temperature and high temperature probe head which allow for temperature-dependent determination of transport properties (Hall coefficient, electric conductivity, Seebeck coefficient) in low magnetic fields (up to 1 T) in the range from very low to very high temperatures (10 K–1200 K).

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Thermogenerator test facility - Efficiency determination of thermoelectric converters

The priority performance parameter of thermoelectric generators (TEG) is the efficiency, which denotes the ratio of the passing heat flow to the gained electric power. Testing of generator elements of various kinds and of complete modules can be performed by a TEG test facility developed at DLR. The efficiency together with other TEG system parameters (thermoelectric figure of merit, effective thermopower, internal electrical resistance and thermal resistance) can be measured under various thermal and electrical conditions.

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Seebeck micro-thermoprobe

Analysis of the functional homogeneity of electrically conducting materials Scanning of the Seebeck coefficient over surface areas of a sample material provides a unique tool for characterisation of the homogeneity with respect to electrical functional properties. DLR has implemented this unique technique in several set-ups and is using it as a diagnostic tool for a multitude of transports-physical and technological tasks. Since the Seebeck coefficient is systematically correlated to the electrical conductivity, this technique is also suitable to evaluate materials of modern semiconductor-technology concerning homogeneity of doping distribution.

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Uniaxial hot pressing

In preparation of thermoelectric materials, focus at DLR is put on hot pressing technology for consolidation of powders of (semiconducting) functional materials. Powders of various material families (silicides, Skutterudites, zinc antimonide, tellurides, oxides) are processed coming from different sources such as gas-atomising, rapid solidification, reaction sintering and from different pre-treatments such as annealing, milling, mixing etc. Special gentle press methods were developed for nano-structured powders to keep their nano-structure during the consolidation process. Composite powders of a functional component and a ceramic filler were pressed and advantageous combinations of properties were selected. The technical equipment these studies are based on, are uniaxial hot pressing machines that can be operated under controllable thermal and atmospheric conditions.

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SEnsor katalySAtor Messplatz (SESAM)

Elektrochemische Speichercharakterisierung

CTEM – Combined ThermoElectric Measurement

LFA – Laser flash apparatus

High temperature measurement of Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity (300 K–1000 K)

Automated Hall facility - Determination of electric transport properties

Thermogenerator test facility - Efficiency determination of thermoelectric converters

Seebeck micro-thermoprobe

Uniaxial hot pressing