Sustainable Thermoelectric Materials and Energy Conversion Systems

Dear Colleagues,

The global energy crisis and environmental challenges have intensified the need for sustainable energy technologies. Thermoelectric materials and systems, capable of directly converting between thermal and electrical energy, represent a promising solution for clean energy generation and efficient energy utilization. However, in order to develop genuinely sustainable thermoelectric solutions, performance metrics and environmental impact must be evaluated throughout their lifecycle.

This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research on sustainable thermoelectric materials and energy conversion systems. We welcome contributions that address both the technical advancement and sustainability of thermoelectric technologies. This includes innovative approaches to material design, green synthesis methods, device optimization, and system integration, all while considering environmental impact and resource efficiency.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Development and characterization of sustainable thermoelectric materials;
• Green synthesis and eco-friendly manufacturing processes;
• Lifecycle assessment of thermoelectric materials and devices;
• Material recycling strategies and circular economy approaches;
• Environmental impact evaluation of thermoelectric systems;
• Energy payback time analysis for thermoelectric devices;
• Bulk and thin-film thermoelectric materials (experimental and theoretical studies);
• Computer-aided design incorporating sustainability metrics;
• System integration with renewable energy sources;
• Waste heat recovery applications with environmental benefits;
• Resource-efficient production methods;
• Novel device architectures for improved sustainability;
• Performance optimization considering environmental constraints;
• Integration of thermoelectric systems in sustainable energy networks.

We invite researchers, engineers, and practitioners to contribute original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and perspective papers that advance our understanding of sustainable thermoelectric technologies.

Dr. Chun-I Wu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.