Science Daily June 7, 2021
Based on foundational theory a team of researchers in the US (Iowa State University, University of Ohio, University of Chicago) engineered an alloy with the elements bismuth and antimony at precise ranges. In this material electrons move like massless photons, a phenomenon theoretically predicted to exist. Under the influence of an external magnetic field some of the electrons generate energy, while others absorb energy, effectively turning the material into an energy pump resulting in 300% increase in its thermal conductivity. The mechanism is turned off if the magnet is taken away. This property, and the simplicity of controlling it with a magnet, makes the material a desirable candidate as a heat switch with no moving parts. The mechanism in this material works only at a low temperature, below minus 100 degrees Fahrenheit. With the fundamentals now understood, the researchers have lots of options as they work toward potential applications…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Evolution of Bi1−xSbx alloys with composition and magnetic field. Credit: Nature Materials (2021)Â