Center for Nanoparticle Research

Prof.In Chung

Synthesis and application of nanocrystals

ENERGY HARVESTING MATERIALS

 Regardless of oil price and discovery of shale gas, humanity should find next generation energy source for survival and high technology. We are developing high performance new materials that generate energy, which can open enormous future markets of many applications.  We mainly focus on materials that convert solar energy to electricity and thermal energy to electricity.

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1. SOLAR CELLS

 Rather than old school technology such as Si, CdTe and CIGS (CuIn1-xGaxSe2), we develop next generation technology including perovskite solar cells. We published a breakthrough research article in this field in Nature (Nature 2012, 486, 485). Materials that were developed for solar cell application can be widely applied to many important technologies such as displays, photodetectors, field effect transitors (FET), and conductors.

2. THERMOELECTRICS

 Thermoelectric materials enable direct conversion between thermal energy and electrical energy, thereby providing an alternative route for power generation and cooling. The use of thermoelectric technology has been restricted to specialized markets such as military and aerospace applications because the low efficiency of thermoelectric devices. Recently, discovery of new materials and developments of delicately designed strategies surprisingly enhanced  thermoelectric performance. It is time to introduce this important renewable energy technology to broad consumer markets.

 We develop new high performance, next generation thermoelectric materials. Rather than conventional materials like PbTe, we focus on new systems that are made of earth-abundant and environmentally friendly elements for commercialization. We also work on low cost processes of materials preparation and device fabrication. We perform intimate collaboration for device and module fabrication and systems for industrial applications.

SYNTHESIS OF NEW INORGANIC COMPOUNDS WITH EXTRAORDINARY PROPERTIES

 We synthesize new inorganic compounds that have complex chemical compositions and crystal structures and show extraordinary properties. To achieve this, we utilize any element in the periodic table employing novel synthetic methodologies such as such as flux, hydro/solvothermal and ionic liquid reaction. Through better understanding of the close relationship of synthesis/crystal structure and crystal structure/properties, we seek to approach closer to “design” of specific compounds that have desirable structure and properties.