Structured Plasma Cell Energy Converter For A Nuclear Reactor

    公开(公告)号:US20230197298A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-06-22

    申请号:US17870957

    申请日:2022-07-22

    申请人: Austin Lo

    发明人: Austin Lo

    IPC分类号: G21C3/40 G21D7/04 H01J45/00

    CPC分类号: G21C3/40 G21D7/04 H01J45/00

    摘要: A structured plasma cell includes a first electrode including a first plurality of micro-cavities and a first plasma disposed within one or more micro-cavities of the first plurality of micro-cavities. The structured plasma cell also includes a second electrode including a second plurality of micro-cavities and a second plasma disposed within one or more micro-cavities of the second plurality of micro-cavities. The structured plasma cell also includes an inter-electrode gap disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

    Apparatus including thermal energy harvesting thermionic device integrated with electronics, and related systems and methods

    公开(公告)号:US11417506B1

    公开(公告)日:2022-08-16

    申请号:US17071712

    申请日:2020-10-15

    发明人: Joseph Birmingham

    IPC分类号: H01J45/00 H01J9/04

    摘要: Embodiments relate to an apparatus that includes an electronics layer with at least one electronic component, and a thermal energy harvesting thermionic device to receive thermal energy and generate an electrical output for powering the electronic component. The thermionic device includes a cathode, an anode spaced from the cathode, and a plurality of nanoparticles in at least one medium contained between the cathode and the anode to permit electron transfer between the cathode and the anode. An intermediate layer is positioned between the thermionic device and the electronics layer. The intermediate layer is made of a gradient thermal expansion material (TEM). Related systems and methods are also provided.

    METHODS FOR FABRICATION, MANUFACTURE AND PRODUCTION OF ENERGY HARVESTING COMPONENTS AND DEVICES

    公开(公告)号:US20220029082A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-01-27

    申请号:US17493773

    申请日:2021-10-04

    发明人: Clark D BOYD

    摘要: A method for forming a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element is provided. A configuration of the energy harvesting element causes the energy harvesting element to autonomously generate renewable energy for use in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. The energy harvesting element includes a first conductor layer, a low work function layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductor layer that are particularly configured in a manner to promote electron migration from the low work function layer, through the dielectric layer, to the facing surface of the second conductor layer in a manner that develops an electric potential between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. An energy harvesting component is also provided that includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.

    POWER GENERATION ELEMENT
    9.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20210384019A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-12-09

    申请号:US17169969

    申请日:2021-02-08

    IPC分类号: H01J45/00

    摘要: According to one embodiment, a power generation element includes an element part. The element part includes a first conductive member, a second conductive member, and a plurality of first structure bodies provided between the first conductive member and the second conductive member. One of the first structure bodies includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is fixed to the first conductive member. The second portion is between the first portion and the second conductive member. A second length along a second direction of the second portion is less than a first length along the second direction of the first portion. The second direction crosses a first direction from the first conductive member toward the second conductive member.

    SYSTEMS AND DEVICES POWERED BY AUTONOMOUS ELECTRICAL POWER SOURCES

    公开(公告)号:US20210313389A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-10-07

    申请号:US17235072

    申请日:2021-04-20

    IPC分类号: H01L27/16 H01L35/00 H01J45/00

    摘要: An electrically-powered device, structure and/or component is provided that includes an attached autonomous electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly structure that is configured to transform thermal energy at any temperature above absolute zero to an electric potential without any external stimulus including physical movement or deformation energy. The autonomous electrical power source component provides a mechanism for generating renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, as primary or auxiliary power for the electrically-powered device, structure and/or component. The autonomous electrical power source component is formed of one or more elements, each of which includes a first conductor having a surface with a comparatively low work function, a second conductor having a surface with the comparatively high work function and a dielectric layer on a scale of 200 nm or less interposed between the conductors.