Self-powered microthermionic converter

A self-powered microthermionic converter comprising:

• an emitter electrode;
• a collector electrode separated from said emitter electrode by a micron-scale interelectrode gap;
• a self-powered thermal power source in thermal contact with said emitter electrode;
• means for removing electrons emitted by the emitter electrode;
• means for returning the emitted electrons to the collector electrode;
• and
• additionally comprising a thermal heat barrier;
• wherein said thermal heat barrier comprises a micro heat barrier comprising a plurality of microspikes and at least one highly IR reflective surface.

A self-powered microthermionic converter comprising:

• an emitter electrode;
• a collector electrode separated from said emitter electrode by a micron-scal interelectrode gap;
• a self-powered thermal power source in thermal contact with said emitter electrode;
• means for removing electrons emitted by the emitter electrode;
• means for returning the emitted electrons to the collector electrode;
• and
• additionally comprising an electrically insulating material disposed between non-interacting portions of said emitter electrode and collector electrode.

A method of converting heat to electrical energy using thermionic electron emission comprising the steps of:

• providing an incorporated thermal power source that is in thermal contact with an emitter electrode;
• heating the emitter electrode with the incorporated thermal power source, thereby causing electrons to be emitted from the emitter electrode;
• streaming electrons emitted from the emitter electrode across a micron-spaced interelectrode gap to a collector electrode;
• collecting the electrons reaching the collector electrode;
• providing the collected electrons to an external electrical load;
• and
• returning the electrons to the emitter electrode, thereby completing an electrical circuit;
• wherein said interelectrode gap is less than about 10 μm.

A method of manufacturing a self-powered microthermionic converter comprising the steps of:

• providing a thermally and electrically insulating material as a substrate;
• forming at least one fuel cup having an outer surface from the substrate through micromachining techniques;
• depositing at least one thermionic electron emissive layer on the outer surface of the fuel cup to provide an emitter electrode;
• forming a collector electrode by depositing at least one layer of a thermionic electron emissive material on the substrate while maintaining a micron-spaced interelectrode gap between the collector electrode and emitter electrode;
• and
• placing a thermal power source inside the fuel cup.