Abstract:
A device for converting heat energy into electrical energy including cells, the cells including: a first cavity with one wall for contacting a heat source; a second cavity with one wall for contacting a cold source; a primary channel between the first cavity and the second cavity transporting a fluid as liquid drops, the primary channel providing transport of liquid fluid drops from the second cavity to the first cavity; at least one secondary channel between the first cavity and the second cavity transporting the fluid as a gas; a piezoelectric material provided in one of the cavities; and a fluid as a liquid and gas contained within the cell.
Abstract:
A device for converting heat energy into electrical energy including cells, the cells including: a first cavity with one wall for contacting a heat source; a second cavity with one wall for contacting a cold source; a primary channel between the first cavity and the second cavity transporting a fluid as liquid drops, the primary channel providing transport of liquid fluid drops from the second cavity to the first cavity; at least one secondary channel between the first cavity and the second cavity transporting the fluid as a gas; a piezoelectric material provided in one of the cavities; and a fluid as a liquid and gas contained within the cell.
Abstract:
An embodiment sensor includes a hybrid waveguide. The hybrid waveguide includes a first dielectric optical waveguide lying on and in contact with a dielectric support layer; a first surface waveguide optically coupled to the first dielectric optical waveguide, parallel to the first dielectric optical waveguide, and lying on the dielectric support layer. The first surface waveguide has a lateral surface configured to guide a surface mode. The hybrid waveguide includes a cavity intended to be filled with a dielectric fluid, separating laterally the first dielectric optical waveguide from the lateral surface of the first surface waveguide.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a method including the following steps: a) forming a waveguide from a first material, the waveguide being configured to guide an optical signal; b) forming a layer made of a second material that is electrically conductive and transparent to a wavelength of the optical signal, steps a) and b) being implemented such that the layer made of the second material is in contact with at least one of the faces of the waveguide, or is separated from the at least one of the faces by a distance of less than half, preferably less than a quarter, of the wavelength of the optical signal. The application further relates to a phase modulator, in particular obtained by such a method.
Abstract:
In one aspect, a photonic device includes a first region having a first doping type, where the first region is divided into an upper portion made of silicon-germanium and a lower portion made of silicon. The device further includes a second region having a second doping type. The first region and the second region contact to form a vertical PN junction.
Abstract:
A dual gate ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) includes a first bias voltage node coupled to a back gate of the ISFET and a second bias voltage node coupled to a control gate of the ISFET. A bias voltage generator circuit is configured to generate a back gate voltage having a first magnitude and a first polarity for application to the first bias voltage node. The bias voltage generator circuit is further configured to generate a control gate voltage having a second magnitude and a second polarity for application to the second bias voltage node. The second polarity is opposite the first polarity.
Abstract:
A first closed enclosure defines a cavity having an inner dimension smaller than 5 mm. At least one second resiliently deformable closed enclosure is connected in fluid communication with the first enclosure. A fluid at more than 90% in the liquid state fills the first and second enclosures. A first portion of the first enclosure is in contact with a hot source of a temperature higher than the evaporation temperature of the fluid. A second portion of the first enclosure located between the first portion and the resiliently deformable closed enclosure is in contact with a cold source at a temperature lower than the condensation temperature of the fluid. An electromechanical transducer is coupled to a deformable membrane of the resiliently deformable closed enclosure.
Abstract:
A detector of an event includes an electrical energy generator formed by a flexible piezoelectric element with a weight fastened to the flexible piezoelectric element that is biased with the weight in a position with the piezoelectric element flexed. In response to detection of the event, a trigger releases the weight so as to cause a vibration of the piezoelectric element. This vibration is converted by the flexible piezoelectric element into electrical energy. An electronic system is power by the electrical energy and is operable to generate an electrical signal indicative of the detected event.
Abstract:
A system includes a hot source, a cold source, and a device thermally coupled between the hot source and the cold source. The device includes a thermal-mechanical transducer and a mechanical-electrical transducer. The thermal-mechanical transducer includes a band of bimetallic strips linked mechanically together by their longitudinal ends. The band partially suspended over a portion of a substrate. Each bimetallic strip has a first stable state having a first curvature and a second stable state having a second curvature opposite the first curvature, and adjacent bimetallic strips have opposite curvature.
Abstract:
A system for converting thermal energy into electrical power includes a temperature-sensitive element held in a frame by its two ends between a heat source and a cold source producing a thermal gradient. A piezoelectric element is positioned between the frame and at least one end of the temperature-sensitive element. The temperature-sensitive element is configured to deform cyclically between two states under the action of the thermal gradient. With each cyclic deformation, a stress is applied to the piezoelectric element via the one end.