Abstract
In this work we review the physical motivations, both experimental and theoretical, suggesting the possible use of quasicrystals as thermoelectric materials. Analytical expressions for the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit and the compatibility factor are discussed in order to optimize the thermoelectric performance of quasicrystals and their approximants. The potential of AlPd(Mn, Re) family is analysed within the context of current thermoelectric materials research.
Acknowledgements
I warmly thank Professors K. Kimura, R. Tamura, T. M. Tritt and Drs K. Kirihara, T. Takeuchi and A. L. Pope for interesting comments and for sharing useful materials. I acknowledge M. V. Hernández for a critical reading of the manuscript. This work has been partially supported by the Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia through project FIS2004-00067, the Conserjeria de Educacion del a CAM and European Union FEDER through Project CTR/MAT/0768/2004.