snapshot of a molecular model of intercalated MoS2 showing the coexistence of planes with two different crystal phases
snapshot of a molecular model of intercalated MoS2 showing the coexistence of planes with two different crystal phases

An electrochemical thermal transistor

  • by Lee-Ping Wang

A recent collaboration among the groups of Ken Goodson and Eric Pop at Stanford University and of Davide Donadio at UC Davis developed a device, which thermal conductance can be modulated reversibly by a factor 10x in few minutes by electrochemical intercalation. This nanoscale switch is made of several layers of MoS2, and its thermal conductance has been measured at in operando conditions. Multiscale simulations unraveled the molecular mechanism underlying thermal switching, which stems from the concurrent occurrence of an incomplete phase transition and interlayer strain, both induced by Li intercalation.

More information at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-06760-7