The multi-dimensional approach to synergistically improve the performance of inorganic thermoelectric materials: A critical review

Advances in Nanoparticle-Enhanced Thermoelectric Materials from Synthesis to Energy Harvesting: A Review

This comprehensive review analysis examines the domain of composite thermoelectric materials that integrate nanoparticles, providing a critical assessment of their methods for improving thermoelectric properties and the procedures used for their fabrication. This study examines several approaches to enhance power factor and lattice thermal conductivity, emphasizing the influence of secondary phases and structural alterations. This study investigates the impact of synthesis methods on the electrical characteristics of materials, with a particular focus on novel techniques such as electrodeposition onto carbon nanotubes. The acquired insights provide useful guidance for the creation of new thermoelectric materials. The review also compares and contrasts organic and inorganic thermoelectric materials, with a particular focus on the potential of inorganic materials in the context of waste heat recovery and power production within industries. This analysis highlights the role of inorganic materials in improving energy efficiency and promoting environmental sustainability.

Investigating the Soil Unconfined Compressive Strength Based on Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Emission Intensities and Machine Learning Techniques

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a remarkable elemental identification and quantification technique used in multiple sectors, including science, engineering, and medicine. Machine learning techniques have recently sparked widespread interest in the development of calibration-free LIBS due to their ability to generate a defined pattern for complex systems. In geotechnical engineering, understanding soil mechanics in relation to the applications is of paramount importance. The knowledge of soil unconfined compressive strength (UCS) enables engineers to identify the behaviors of a particular soil and propose effective solutions to given geotechnical problems. However, the experimental techniques involved in the measurements of soil UCS are incredibly expensive and time-consuming. In this work, we develop a pioneering technique to estimate the soil unconfined compressive strength using artificial intelligent methods based on the spectra obtained from the LIBS system. Decision tree regression (DTR) and support vector regression learners were initially employed, and consequently, the adaptive boosting method was applied to improve the performance of the two single learners. The prediction power of the established models was determined using the standard performance evaluation metrics such as the root-mean-square error, CC between the predicted and actual soil UCS values, mean absolute error, and R² score. Our results revealed that the boosted DTR exhibited the highest coefficient of correlation of 99.52% and an R² value of 99.03% during the testing phase. To validate the models, the UCS values of soils stabilized with lime and cement were predicted with an optimum degree of accuracy, confirming the models' suitability and generalization strength for soil UCS investigations.