• We have been exploring novel thermoelectric materials. Functions of a solid substance primarily depend on the electronic structure, directly derived from its crystal structure. Through high-quality structure analyses using neutron and X-ray diffraction, combined with first-principles calculations, we have been fabricating materials with desired functions. To date, more than 40 novel materials have been discovered based on our guiding principles.

For developing future device technologies, challenges on thin-film thermionic multilayers and organic thermoelectric materials are currently underway.

• crystal structure
• superspace group
• composite crystals
• incommensurate crystals
• Seebeck effect
• Peltier effect