Described herein are devices incorporating Casimir cavities, which modify the quantum vacuum mode distribution within the cavities. The Casimir cavities can drive charge carriers from or to an electronic device disposed adjacent to or contiguous with the Casimir cavity by modifying the quantum vacuum mode distribution incident on one side of the electronic device to be different from the quantum vacuum mode distribution incident on the other side of the electronic device. The electronic device can exhibit a structure that permits transport or capture of hot carriers in very short time intervals, such as in 1 picosecond or less.