Tunneling-effect energy converters

Details Tunneling-effect energy converters Tunneling-effect energy converters

2005-09-20

2005-09-20

Diamond, Alan (Department: 1753)

Batteries: thermoelectric and photoelectric

Thermoelectric

Electric power generator

C136S239000, C136S200000, C136S236100, C136S238000, C310S304000, C310S306000, C257S467000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06946596

ABSTRACT:
Tunneling-effect converters of thermal energy to electricity with an emitter and a collector separated from each other by a distance that is comparable to atomic dimensions and where tunneling effect plays an important role in the charge movement from the emitter to the collector across the gap separating such emitter and collector. At least one of the emitter and collector structures includes a flexible structure. Tunneling-effect converters include devices that convert thermal energy to electrical energy and devices that provide refrigeration when electric power is supplied to such devices.

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