Overview

• QUT researchers report a p-type silver–copper–telluride doped with manganese that reaches a figure of merit of about 1.88 at 773 K, among the highest for this material class.
• A prototype device built by the team converted more than 13% of input heat into electricity during tests.
• The efficiency boost is linked to band convergence and valence band flattening alongside reduced lattice thermal conductivity from intensified lattice defects.
• The team emphasizes the absence of toxic elements, stability, and simple production as advantages for eventual real‑world waste‑heat recovery.
• Led by Zhi‑Gang Chen and Xiao‑Lei Shi at QUT, the work targets applications such as industrial, automotive, and power‑station heat but requires scaling and integration.