Dr. Robert Biele is one of 109 scientists in Germany who have been awarded the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Grant. Dr. Biele is now conducting research with Prof. Gianaurelio Cuniberti on thermoelectricity in nanomaterials at the Institute of Materials Science (Faculty of Mechanical Science and Engineering). He completed his doctorate in 2016 in the Nano-Bio-Spectroscopy group at the University of the Basque Country in Spain.

Dr. Biele focusses on modelling the optical and electrical properties of innovative 2D materials, among other topics. In his two-year project QTherm-2D, he is hoping to gain theoretical insights into how future applications in nanotechnology could be improved. His quantum research has proved to be indispensable for his endeavour; with the help of quantum effects, he strives to significantly increase the efficiency of thermoelectric generators while at the same time advancing their utilisation, both in the industrial and private sphere.

Thermoelectric generators use waste heat to generate electrical energy. Since they do not emit any pollutants, they are considered environmentally friendly and a renewable energy source. To put it differently: one of the undesired side effects of many processes is the generation of heat, which goes unutilised. For example, in refrigeration, an undesired by-product of the desired cooling is heat. If this waste heat could be exploited, energy consumption would sink. Thermoelectric generators are the key to unlocking this untapped resource. To achieve this, special materials are required that can convert heat to electrical energy.

Dr. Biele’s research has struck a chord with the EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics. By awarding the Marie Skłodowska-Curie action grant, he hopes that “the projects will make a contribution to tackling some of the greatest challenges of our society.”   

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme is part of the “Horizon 2020” EU initiative for research and innovation. Scientists who have completed their doctoral studies or who have conducted a minimum of four years of full-time research, are eligible to apply. The research topics may be freely chosen. A total of 9,000 scientists from all over the world applied for the grant. The European Commission will now fund 1,328 researchers.

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