Abstract:
A generator of electric energy based on a thermoelectric effect includes a layer of thermoelectric material set between two pipes that guide two flows of fluid at temperatures different from one another. Each of the pipes has its wall in heat-conduction contact with respective side of the layer of thermoelectric material. Each pipe has a cavity of passage for the respective flow of fluid occupied by a porous material or divided by diaphragms into a plurality of sub-channels so as to obtain a large heat-exchange surface between each flow of fluid and the wall of the respective pipe and between said wall and the respective side of the layer of thermoelectric material.
Abstract:
The system allows the generation and distribution of energy on board a motor vehicle provided with a propulsion unit, a tank for fuel at least one distribution network or line for electric energy, electrical energy generation devices connected to the at least one distribution network or line, and a plurality of selectively activatable electrical utilizer devices or apparatus connected or connectable to the at least one distribution network or line. The electrical energy generator devices includes (at least) a microcombustor electricity generator matrix or battery connected to the fuel tank, and a supervision and control unit associated with this generator matrix or battery and coupled to the distribution network or line and arranged to control the operation of the generator matrix or battery in a predetermined manner as a function of the electrical power required or consumed by the network or line.
Abstract:
A thin-film device for detecting the variation of intensity of physical quantities, in particular a magnetic field, in a continuous way, comprises an electrical circuit including one or more sensitive elements, which are designed to vary their own electrical resistance as a function of the intensity of a physical quantity to be detected. One or more of the sensitive elements comprise at least one nanoconstriction, and the nanoconstriction comprises at least two pads made of magnetic material, associated to which are respective magnetizations oriented in directions substantially opposite to one another and connected through a nanochannel. The nanochannel is able to set up a domain wall that determines the electrical resistance of the nanoconstriction as a function of the position, with respect to the nanochannel, of the domain wall formed in the sensor device. At least one cross section of the nanochannel is configured so as to present a variable extension along one or more axes as a function of different values of the physical quantity to be detected.
Abstract:
Multifunctional optical sensor, comprising a matrix of photodetectors of the CCD or CMOS type, having a sensitive area divided into sub-areas, each of which, individually or combined with others, is dedicated to a specific function of monitoring the scene or measuring environmental parameters. The optical sensor comprises a matrix of microlenses, each of which is set to focus the radiation coming from a portion of solid angle on the associated photodetector or cluster of mutually contiguous photodetectors. Each function is associated to a single microlens or to a single subgroup of mutually contiguous microlenses or to multiple, not mutually contiguous microlenses or to multiple, not mutually contiguous subgroups of microlenses. The angular separation between the central directions of the portions of solid angle subtended by adjacent photodetectors or adjacent clusters of photodetectors is not constant within the matrix.
Abstract:
A light emitting device comprises a substrate, a porous alumina layer having a regular series of cavities of nanometric size containing an emitting material, and two electrodes in contact with the emitting material and connected to an electric voltage source. The first electrode comprises at least part of an aluminum film deposited onto the substrate, on which the alumina layer has been previously grown through an anodization process.
Abstract:
A device for detecting magnetic fields, of the type comprising at least one element made of hard 5 magnetic material (12) and an element made of soft magnetic material (13) associated an element made of semiconductor material (11), electrodes (15) for forcing a current (I) in the semiconductor material (11), characterised in that the element made of hard magnetic material (12) and element made of soft magnetic material (13) are positioned in planar fashion on the element made of semiconductor material (11).
Abstract:
A method for making three-dimensional structures of nanometric or micrometric dimensions comprises the following steps: obtaining of a photopolymeric or UV mixture including nanoparticles orientable in space; deposition of a layer of the mixture on a respective substrate; exposure of the layer to UV-radiation and control of the polymerization of the mixture by means of variation of its index of refraction; application of a magnetic and/or electrical field for producing a desired positioning of the nanoparticles, in order to induce the growth of surface projections from the layer of mixture; and polymerization of the mixture.
Abstract:
A light emitting ambipolar device of the type comprising at least a first and a second main electrode in electrical contact through a light emitting region comprising at least one carrier recombination layer and further comprising one or more further electrodes for controlling recombination in said light emitting region wherein said first and second main electrode and said one or more further electrodes for controlling the recombination in said light emitting region are arranged in planar configuration relative to said region, said one or more further electrodes for controlling the recombination identifying one or more insulating channels with respect to said light emission comprising said at least one carrier recombination layer.
Abstract:
The generator comprises at least one source of pressurized gas and a closed hydraulic circuit containing a solution comprising an electrically conducting vehicle liquid in which a charge of micro- or nanoparticles of a metal material is dispersed. The circuit has at least one inlet port connected to the source so that, when in operation, it receives a flow of pressurized gas capable of causing circulation of the solution within the circuit in a predetermined direction, forming a two-phase gas-liquid mixture with it, a restriction in cross section, downstream from the inlet port calibrated in such a way as to cause an increase in velocity and condensation of the two-phase mixture, and at least one outlet port, located downstream from the restriction through which the gas mixed with the solution can be released and discharged from the circuit. The generator also comprises magnetic field generating devices, associated with a length of the hydraulic circuit lying between the inlet port and the restriction in cross section in order to generate an induction flux (10) at right angles to the direction of flow of the solution in that length of circuit, and at least one pair of electrodes placed in contact with the solution in that length of the hydraulic circuit, and facing each other in a direction essentially at right angles to the lines of force of the magnetic field and the flow direction of the solution in that length of circuit. The arrangement is such that, when in operation, an electric current whose strength depends on the flow velocity of the solution in that length of the hydraulic circuit, the strength of the associated magnetic field and the electrical resistance between the electrodes flows between the electrodes.
Abstract:
A light-emitting device comprises a structure defining an orderly and periodic series of cavities of nanometric dimensions, in which a process of catalytic combustion is confined. The dimensions and/or the distance between the micro-cavities are selected to obtain a light emission in the visible and prevent and/or attenuate at the same time emission of infrared radiation.