US Patent 7687705 - Multi-layer thermoelectric device including nanocrystals

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7687705.html

Microelectronic cooling devices will become more important as circuit densities continue to increase using stacked architectures. This patent from Alabama A&M University Institute teaches a periodic multilayer structure in which semiconductor nanocrystals are used to improve the thermal conversion efficiency. Claim 1 reads:

1. A thermoelectric device comprising:

a periodic multilayer structure having a plurality of periods, each of said periods comprising:

a first insulating layer comprising a first electrical insulating material, and a single composite layer comprising metal material mixture having nanocrystals, nanoclusters, or quantum dots of a metal material and a second insulating material;

a first contact layer for electrical and thermal coupling to said periodic multilayer structure; and

a second contact layer for electrical and thermal coupling to said periodic multilayer structure.