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US 10,950,706 B2Granted
Nano-scale energy conversion device
AssigneeBirmingham Technologies, Inc.
InventorJoseph Birmingham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments relate to an apparatus for nano-scale energy converters and electric power generators. The apparatus include two electrodes with a cavity formed therebetween. The first electrode is an emitter electrode that includes a first base material with a first work function value. A second material is deposited on the first base material to modify the first work function value to a second work function value. The second electrode is a collector electrode that includes a second base material with a third work function value. A fourth material is deposited on the second base material to modify the third work function value to a fourth work function value. The emitter and collector electrodes are designed such that the second work function value is greater than the fourth work function value.
Claims31
An apparatus comprising:
- a first electrode comprising:
- a first substrate comprising at least a first material, wherein the first material has a first work function value, the first material comprising tungsten (W);
- and
- at least one second material, different from the first material, deposited over at least a first portion of the first material, the first electrode having a second work function value less than the first work function value, the second material comprising cesium oxide (Cs2O);
- a second electrode positioned a distance from the first electrode, wherein the second electrode comprises:
- a second substrate comprising at least one third material different from the first material and the second material, wherein the third material has a third work function value, the third material comprising gold (Au);
- and
- at least one fourth material, different from the first and third materials, deposited over at least a second portion of the at least one third material, the second electrode having a fourth work function value less than the third work function value, the fourth material comprising Cs2O;
- and
- a nanofluid between the first electrode and the second electrode, the nanofluid being adapted to transmit electrons between the first electrode and the second electrode.
7 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a first electrode comprising:
- a first electrode substrate comprising at least a first material, wherein the first material has a first work function value, the first material comprising tungsten (W);
- and
- at least one second material, different from the first material, deposited over 50% to 70% of a first surface of the first electrode substrate, the first electrode having a second work function value less than the first work function value, the second material comprising cesium oxide (Cs2O);
- and
- a second electrode positioned a distance from the first electrode, the second electrode comprising:
- a second electrode substrate comprising at least one third material different from the first material and the second material, wherein the third material has a third work function value, the third material comprising gold (Au);
- and
- at least one fourth material, different from the first and third materials, deposited over 50% to 70% of a second surface of the second electrode substrate, the second electrode having a fourth work function value less than the third work function value, the fourth material comprising Cs2O.
6 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a first electrode comprising:
- a first substrate comprising at least a first material, wherein the first material has a first work function value, the first material comprising tungsten (W);
- and
- at least one second material, different from the first material, deposited over at least a first portion of the first material, the first electrode having a second work function value less than the first work function value, the second material comprising a first cesium oxide (Cs2O) layer;
- and
- a second electrode positioned a distance from the first electrode, wherein the second electrode comprises:
- a second substrate comprising at least one third material different from the first material and the second material, wherein the third material has a third work function value, the third material comprising gold (Au);
- and
- at least one fourth material, different from the first and third materials, deposited over at least a second portion of the at least one third material, the second electrode having a fourth work function value less than the third work function value, the fourth material comprising a second Cs2O layer, a plurality of dipoles formed on at least one of a first surface of the first Cs2O layer and a second surface of the second CsO2 layer, the dipoles defining nanoantennas.
6 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a first electrode comprising:
- a first substrate comprising at least a first material, wherein the first material has a first work function value, the first material comprising tungsten (W);
- and
- at least one second material, different from the first material, deposited over at least a first portion of the first material, the first electrode having a second work function value less than the first work function value, the second material comprising a first cesium oxide (Cs2O) layer;
- and
- a second electrode positioned a distance from the first electrode, wherein the second electrode comprises:
- a second substrate comprising at least one third material different from the first material and the second material, wherein the third material has a third work function value, the third material comprising gold (Au);
- and
- at least one fourth material, different from the first and third materials, deposited over at least a second portion of the at least one third material, the second electrode having a fourth work function value less than the third work function value, the fourth material comprising a second Cs2O layer, at least one of the first and second electrodes comprising lead selenide telluride (PbSeTe) and/or lead telluride (PbTe) to increase conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.