Percent Conversion Chart

Researchers from Northwestern University have placed two compounds together to produce a new material that can harness electricity from heat-generating items. The researchers mixed nanocrystals of rock salt with lead telluride to produce the new material.

What is Lead Telluride?

Lead telluride is a compound of the elements lead and tellurium. In nature, it occurs as the mineral altaite. Commercially, lead telluride is used as a narrow gap semiconductor. These type of semiconductors are often used as infrared detectors or thermoelectrics. Lead telluride is frequently combined with tin to produce lead tin telluride, which is used as an infrared detector material.

What is Rock Salt?

Halite known commonly as rock salt is the mineral form of sodium chloride. Evaporite deposit minerals such as halides, sulfates and borates commonly contain rock salt. Enclosed lakes, playas, and seas are common places where rock salt can be found. Rock salt is commonly used for both residential and municipal purposes for managing ice.