Conversion of heat to electricity using phase transformations in ferroelectric oxide capacitors

A power generation system comprising:

• a first capacitor comprising an oxide film composed of a dielectric material,
• wherein the dielectric material is configured to transition from a ferroelectric phase to a paraelectric or antiferroelectric phase when heated above a first transition temperature, and
• wherein the dielectric material is configured to transition from the paraelectric or antiferroelectric phase to the ferroelectric phase when cooled below a second transition temperature, wherein the first transition temperature is different from the second transition temperature;
• a second capacitor electrically coupled in parallel to the first capacitor;
• and
• an electric load electrically coupled to the first capacitor and the second capacitor,
• wherein the power generation system is configured, during operation, to cyclically:
• cool the dielectric material below the second transition temperature, such that a charge is drawn from the second capacitor to the first capacitors through the electric load, and
• heat the dielectric material beyond the first transition temperature, such that a charge is drawn from the first capacitor to the second capacitors through the electric load.