US Patent 7521629 Thermoelectric transportation material containing nitrogen

A nitrogen-containing thermoelectric material, which has an element composition represented by:AlzGayInxMuRvOsNt  (A)orAlzGayInxMuRvDwNm  (B)(wherein M represents a transition element; R represents a rare earth element; D represents at least one element selected from elements of the Group IV or II; 0≦z≦0.7, 0≦y≦0.7, 0.2≦x≦1.0, 0≦u≦0.7, 0≦v≦0.05, 0.9≦s+t≦1.7, 0.4≦s≦1.2, 0≦w≦0.2, and 0.9≦m≦1.1; and x+y+z=1), and has an absolute value of a Seebeck coefficient of 40 μV/K or more at a temperature of 100° C. or more. These thermoelectric materials comprise elements having low toxicity, are excellent in a heat resistance, a chemical resistance and the like, and have a high thermoelectric transforming efficiency.