Now, new research published in the journal Materials Today has taken a big step toward identifying quantum materials that are more sustainable for the environment. These unique, tunable materials, whose properties are due to quantum mechanical effects, have led to their important use in design and creation of new, emerging technologies. Guided by Associate Professor Farnaz Niroui and Professor Tomas Palacios from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, the research team made a rigorous assessment of more than 16,000 materials. With significant help from senior author Mingda Li from nuclear science and engineering, they were able to hone their selection down to 31 ideal candidates.
This intensive research effort was aimed at topological materials, a class of materials heralded for their exotic electronic characteristics. The researchers aimed to balance quantum functionality with environmental impact and scalability, addressing a critical gap in previous quantum material research.
The Search for Sustainable Materials
During their rigorous evaluation, the researchers considered 200 environmentally sustainable materials before selecting their top 31 candidates. Their selection was based on a competitive scoring system that calculated the overall value of specific projects, taking into account environmental benefit, cost and resiliency against import shocks.
To drive home the critical relevance of these considerations, Associate Professor Farnaz Niroui said on the sticky to,
“Considering the scalability of manufacturing and environmental availability and impact is critical to ensuring practical adoption of these materials in emerging technologies.”
The team tried to minimize disorder in the materials so that they would exhibit the most desirable quantum properties. In addition, they worked on producing them sustainably and affordably. Their efforts reflect a growing acknowledgment in the scientific community of the need for environmentally conscious practices in material development.
Mouyang Cheng, another one of the study’s co-first authors, confirmed this feeling. He noted that,
“Researchers don’t always think about the costs or environmental impacts of the materials they study.”
When we forget about practical considerations, promising materials sometimes grind to a halt. This delays their journey from academic incubators to practical implementation in the real world.
Evaluating Quantum Functionality
During the course of the study, the study’s researchers jumped into the really cool and complex world of topological materials. They found that many materials with high quantum fluctuation in their electron centers tend to come with high costs and significant environmental damage. Now, with this finding, we can understand why many of these quantum materials don’t scale well for industry.
Mingda Li, who observed the field’s historical insularity, reflected,
“People studying quantum materials are very focused on their properties and [quantum mechanics].”
Yet this cautious mindset could slow the advancement of highly-promising quantum materials into industries that operate on cost-effectiveness and sustainability imperatives.
“For some reason, they have a natural resistance during fundamental materials research to thinking about the costs and other factors. Some told me they think those factors are too ‘soft’ or not related to science.”
The possible uses for the new quantum materials are extensive. Conventional solar cells have an efficiency ceiling of 34%. A number of topological materials would only need to get close to a staggering theoretical efficiency ceiling of 89%. This dramatic disparity represents a major opportunity for government and academia to capitalize.
The Future of Quantum Materials
Mingda Li was excited about what’s likely to come in this area, forecasting,
Ellan Spero, an expert in the field from Southwest Energy Efficiency Project, noted that understanding these costs and variables is necessary to pave the way for industry adoption. She noted,
“But I think within 10 years, people will routinely be thinking about cost and [environmental impact] at every stage of development.”
As the study underscores, there is a pressing need for materials that meet specific criteria: high quantum weight and low production costs. Spero remarked,
“That’s useful information because the industry really wants something very low-cost.”
As the study underscores, there is a pressing need for materials that meet specific criteria: high quantum weight and low production costs. Spero remarked,
“We know what we should be looking for: high quantum weight, low-cost materials. Very few materials being developed meet that criteria, and that likely explains why they don’t scale to industry.”