Experimentally probing thermoelectric energy conversion at the molecular scale

The study of thermal energy transport and conversion at the nanoscale is of fundamental interest, and holds great promise for the development of a variety of technologies, including heat management in nanoelectronics, refrigeration and thermoelectrics . Although much attention has been directed towards studying nanoscale optical and electronic properties, thermoelectric properties at the molecular scale has been poorly characterized due to experimental challenges. In my presentation I will describe a series of novel experimental techniques and how they we leveraged them to systematically answer how the thermopower can be enhanced by quantum effects, and the electricity-to-heat conversion occurring at the molecular scale. These findings set the stage for rational design of thermally-efficient nanoscale devices and are expected to enable future development of environmentally-friendly energy saving solutions.