Bimaterial microelectromechanical system (MEMS) solar power generator
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsDragoslav Grbovic, Sebastian Osswald
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Abstract
A bimaterial microelectromechanical system (MEMS) solar power generator device converts radiant energy received from the sun, or other light source, into heat, which is then used to produce electricity through the piezoelectric effect. As the efficiency of piezoelectric materials can often reach up to 90%, the efficiency is greater than that of conventional solar cells.
Claims18
A bimaterial microelectromechanical system (MEMS) solar power generator device comprising:
- a heat sink structure;
- and
- a bimaterial piezoelectric structure supported on and above said heat sink structure at an offset distance;
- said bimaterial piezoelectric structure further comprising:
- a piezoelectric material;
- a broad-band radiation absorptive material overlying and in conductive contact with at least a portion of said piezoelectric material;
- and
- a coating material underlying and in conductive contact with at least a portion of said piezoelectric material;
- wherein said piezoelectric material and said coating material have different thermal expansion coefficients.
A bimaterial microelectromechanical system (MEMS) solar power generator device comprising:
- a heat sink structure;
- and
- a bimaterial piezoelectric structure in contact with and located above said heat sink structure;
- said bimaterial piezoelectric structure further comprising:
- a central body portion;
- a plurality of bimaterial multifold legs connected to and extending from said central body portion;
- and
- at least one support legs structures connected to and extending from said plurality of bimaterial multifold legs, said at least two attachment structures conductively connecting said bimaterial MEMS structure to said heat sink structure such that said central body portion is spaced an offset distance above said heat sink structure when not exposed to radiant energy;
- wherein said bimaterial MEMS solar power generator device receives radiant solar energy and converts it through at least a piezoelectric effect into electricity.
A method for generating electricity by a bimaterial microelectromechanical system (MEMS) solar power generator device, the method comprising:
- receiving radiant energy at a bimaterial piezoelectric structure;
- converting at least a portion of said radiant energy to thermal energy by said bimaterial piezoelectric structure;
- converting at least a portion of said thermal energy to electrical energy through the piezoelectric effect by said bimaterial piezoelectric structure;
- and
- transferring at least a portion of said thermal energy to a heat sink structure underlying said bimaterial piezoelectric structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.