Abstract:
The invention relates to the use of a thermoelectric material for thermoelectric purposes at a temperature of 150 K or less, said thermoelectric material is a material corresponding to the stoichiometric formula FeSb2, wherein all or part of the Fe atoms optionally being substituted by one or more elements selected from the group comprising: Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, La, Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, Hg, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and a vacancy; and wherein all or part of the Sb atoms optionally being substituted by one or more elements selected from the group comprising: P, As, Bi, S, Se, Te, B, Al, Ga, In, Tl, C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb and a vacancy; with the proviso that neither one of the elements Fe and Sb in the formula FeSb2 is fully substituted with a vacancy, characterised in that said thermoelectric material exhibits a power factor (S2s) of 25 µW/cmK2 or more at a temperature of 150 K or less. The invention also relates to thermoelectric materials per se falling within the above definition.
Abstract:
An improved electrical connector for use with a glazing is disclosed. The glazing preferably comprises a ply of glazing material having a first electrically conductive component mounted thereon, and a second electrically conductive component, joined to the first by a solder. The second component has a thickness t and comprises first and second connector feet linked by a bridge portion, the bridge portion being at a height h above each of the connector feet, and each of the feet comprises at least one protrusion having a height d. At least one of t, h or d is chosen to minimise the occurrence of stress faults in the glass in the region of the solder. Preferably, the glazing is an automotive glazing.
Abstract:
Lead-free solder compositions having a thermal conductivity are disclosed that include at least about 2% of silver, at least about 60% of bismuth, and at least one additional metal in an amount that will increase the thermal conductivity of the solder composition over a comparison solder composition consisting of silver and bismuth, wherein the at least one additional metal does not significantly modify the solidus temperature and does not shift the liquidus temperature outside of an acceptable liquidus temperature range. Methods of producing these lead-free solder compositions are also disclosed that include providing at least about 2% of silver, providing at least about 60% of bismuth, providing at least one additional metal in an amount that will increase the thermal conductivity of the solder composition over a comparison solder composition consisting of silver and bismuth, blending the bismuth with the at least one additional metal to form a bismuth-metal blend, and blending the bismuth-metal blend with copper to form the solder composition, wherein the at least one additional metal does not significantly modify the solidus temperature and does not shift the liquidus temperature outside of an acceptable liquidus temperature range. Additional methods of producing a lead-free solder composition having a thermal conductivity include providing at least about 2% of silver, providing at least about 60% of bismuth, providing at least one additional metal in an amount that will increase the thermal conductivity of the solder composition over a comparison solder composition consisting of silver and bismuth, blending the silver with the at least one additional metal to form a silver-metal alloy, and blending the silver-metal alloy with bismuth to form the solder composition, wherein the at least one additional metal does not significantly modify the solidus temperature and does not shift the liquidus temperature outside of an acceptable liquidus temperature range.