Design and fabrication of matrix-switching unit for simultaneous electrical measurement of 2D thermoelectric materials

Abstract

Thermoelectric (TE) devices rely on the properties of an efficient transducer to transfer heat into electricity. Some two-dimensional (2D) materials have been predicted and demonstrated to exhibit superior TE properties compared to their three-dimensional counterparts. However, precise measurement of TE properties of 2D materials is challenging, as it requires complex electrical measurements conducted in a temperaturecontrolled vacuum environment. Additionally, the development of automated measurement requires an interactive interface of numerous equipment and accessories compatible with such a setup. The objective of this project is the design and fabrication of a Matrix-Switching Unit, which enables sequential measurement of Seebeck coefficient parameters and electrical conductivity of the 2D TE materials. The approaches to design, fabricate, and integrate the Matrix-Switching Unit will be discussed in this report. A Matrix-Switching Unit (MSU) comprises a specialized PCB and an aluminum metal box enclosure designed to facilitate circuit connection switching across the three different parameters of the PF. Housed within the aluminum enclosure, the PCB is equipped with BNC connectors on top, enabling integration with the external instruments in the laboratory. By the conclusion of this report, comprehensive details regarding the design, fabrication, and integration of the matrix switching unit for PF data collection will be provided.