公开(公告)号：US11791143B2

公开(公告)日：2023-10-17

申请号：US17497342

申请日：2021-10-08

Applicant: Spark Thermionics, Inc. ,  The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania

Inventor： Jared William Schwede ,  Igor Bargatin ,  Samuel M. Nicaise ,  Chen Lin ,  John Provine

IPC: H01J45/00

CPC classification number: H01J45/00

Abstract: A small-gap device system, preferably including two or more electrodes and one or more spacers maintaining a gap between two or more of the electrodes. A spacer for a small-gap device system, preferably including a plurality of legs defining a mesh structure. A method of spacer and/or small-gap device fabrication, preferably including: defining lateral features, depositing spacer material, selectively removing spacer material, separating the spacer from a fabrication substrate, and/or assembling the small-gap device.

公开(公告)号：US20230256256A1

公开(公告)日：2023-08-17

申请号：US18106473

申请日：2023-02-06

Applicant: FACE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Inventor： Clark D BOYD ,  Bradbury R FACE ,  Jeffrey D SHEPARD

IPC: A61N1/378 ,  H02J7/34 ,  H01J45/00 ,  H02J50/00 ,  H10N10/01 ,  H10N10/80 ,  H01L25/04 ,  H01L25/00

CPC classification number: A61N1/3785 ,  H02J7/34 ,  H01J45/00 ,  H02J50/001 ,  H10N10/01 ,  H10N10/80 ,  H01L25/04 ,  H01L25/50 ,  H01L25/0652

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an electrically-powered device and/or component that is embeddable in a solid structural component, and a system, a produced device and/or a produced component is provided. The produced electrically powered device includes an attached autonomous electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly structure 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 as primary power for the electrically-powered device and/or component once an integrated structure including the device and/or component is deployed in an environment that restricts future access to the electrical power source for servicing, recharge, replacement, replenishment or the like.

公开(公告)号：US20230210009A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-29

申请号：US18117814

申请日：2023-03-06

Applicant: FACE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Inventor： Clark D BOYD

IPC: H10N19/00 ,  H01J45/00 ,  H10N10/00

CPC classification number: H10N19/00 ,  H01J45/00 ,  H10N10/00

Abstract: An integrated circuit system, structure and/or component is provided that includes an integrated electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element or component. The energy harvesting component provides a mechanism for generating autonomous renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, in the integrated circuit system, structure and/or component. 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 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 includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.

公开(公告)号：US20230093228A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-23

申请号：US17993195

申请日：2022-11-23

Applicant: Spark Thermionics, Inc.

Inventor： Jared William Schwede ,  Lucas Heinrich Hess

IPC: H01L35/30 ,  H01L35/14 ,  H01L35/22 ,  H01L35/18 ,  H01J45/00

Abstract: A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an anode and a cathode. An anode of a thermionic energy converter, preferably including an n-type semiconductor, one or more supplemental layers, and an electrical contact. A method for work function reduction and/or thermionic energy conversion, preferably including inputting thermal energy to a thermionic energy converter, illuminating an anode of the thermionic energy converter, thereby preferably reducing a work function of the anode, and extracting electrical power from the system.

公开(公告)号：US11571583B2

公开(公告)日：2023-02-07

申请号：US17001558

申请日：2020-08-24

Applicant: FACE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION

Inventor： Clark D Boyd ,  Bradbury R Face ,  Jeffrey D Shepard

IPC: A61N1/378 ,  H01L35/34 ,  H01L35/02 ,  H02J7/34 ,  H01J45/00 ,  H02J50/00 ,  H01L25/04 ,  H01L25/00 ,  H01L25/065 ,  H01L25/07 ,  H01L23/58 ,  G01V1/16

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an electrically-powered device and/or component that is embeddable in a solid structural component, and a system, a produced device and/or a produced component is provided. The produced electrically powered device includes an attached autonomous electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly structure 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 as primary power for the electrically-powered device and/or component once an integrated structure including the device and/or component is deployed in an environment that restricts future access to the electrical power source for servicing, recharge, replacement, replenishment or the like.

公开(公告)号：US11552233B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-10

申请号：US16715705

申请日：2019-12-16

Applicant: Spark Thermionics, Inc.

Inventor： Jared William Schwede ,  Lucas Heinrich Hess

IPC: H01L35/30 ,  H01L35/14 ,  H01L35/22 ,  H01L35/18 ,  H01J45/00

Abstract: A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an anode and a cathode. An anode of a thermionic energy converter, preferably including an n-type semiconductor, one or more supplemental layers, and an electrical contact. A method for work function reduction and/or thermionic energy conversion, preferably including inputting thermal energy to a thermionic energy converter, illuminating an anode of the thermionic energy converter, thereby preferably reducing a work function of the anode, and extracting electrical power from the system.

公开(公告)号：US11430644B2

公开(公告)日：2022-08-30

申请号：US16883762

申请日：2020-05-26

Applicant: Spark Thermionics, Inc.

Inventor： Felix Schmitt ,  Jared William Schwede ,  Adam Lorimer

IPC: H01J45/00

Abstract: A system for thermionic energy generation, preferably including one or more thermionic energy converters, and optionally including one or more power inputs, airflow modules, and/or electrical loads. A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an emitter module, a collector module, and/or a seal, and optionally including a spacer. The thermionic energy converter preferably defines a chamber and/or a heating cavity. A method for thermionic energy generation, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and/or receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.

公开(公告)号：US20220165555A1

公开(公告)日：2022-05-26

申请号：US17667073

申请日：2022-02-08

Applicant: Birmingham Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Joseph Birmingham

IPC: H01J45/00 ,  H01L35/26 ,  H01L35/32 ,  H01L35/16 ,  H01L35/08 ,  H01L35/34 ,  H01L29/43 ,  H01J1/35 ,  H01L29/40

Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods of manufacturing and operating nano-scale energy converters and electric power generators. The nano-scale energy converters include two electrodes separated a predetermined distance. The first electrode is manufactured to have a first work function value. The second electrode is manufactured to have a second work function value different from the first work function value. A cavity is formed between the first and second electrodes, and a nanofluid is disposed in the cavity. The nanofluid includes a plurality of nanoparticles.

公开(公告)号：US11244816B2

公开(公告)日：2022-02-08

申请号：US16284987

申请日：2019-02-25

Applicant: Birmingham Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Joseph Birmingham

IPC: H01J45/00 ,  H01L29/43 ,  H01J1/35 ,  H01L29/40 ,  H01L35/26 ,  H01L35/32 ,  H01L35/16 ,  H01L35/08 ,  H01L35/34

Abstract: Embodiments relate to methods of manufacturing and operating nano-scale energy converters and electric power generators. The nano-scale energy converters include two electrodes separated a predetermined distance. The first electrode is manufactured to have a first work function value. The second electrode is manufactured to have a second work function value different from the first work function value. A cavity is formed between the first and second electrodes, and a nanofluid is disposed in the cavity. The nanofluid includes a plurality of nanoparticles, with the nanoparticles having a third work function value that is greater than the first and second work function values. The relationship of the work function values of the nanoparticles to the work function values of the electrodes optimizes transfer of electrons to the nanoparticles through Brownian motion and electron hopping.

公开(公告)号：US11170984B2

公开(公告)日：2021-11-09

申请号：US16044215

申请日：2018-07-24

Applicant: Spark Thermionics, Inc. ,  The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania

Inventor： Jared William Schwede ,  Igor Bargatin ,  Samuel M. Nicaise ,  Chen Lin ,  John Provine

IPC: H02N10/00 ,  H01J45/00

Abstract: A small-gap device system, preferably including two or more electrodes and one or more spacers maintaining a gap between two or more of the electrodes. A spacer for a small-gap device system, preferably including a plurality of legs defining a mesh structure. A method of spacer and/or small-gap device fabrication, preferably including: defining lateral features, depositing spacer material, selectively removing spacer material, separating the spacer from a fabrication substrate, and/or assembling the small-gap device.