Abstract: Systems and methods for producing a dense, well bonded solid material from a powder may include consolidating the powder utilizing any suitable consolidation method, such as explosive shockwave consolidation. The systems and methods may also include a post-processing thermal treatment that exploits a mismatch between the coefficients of thermal expansion between the consolidated material and the container. Due to the mismatch in the coefficients, internal pressure on the consolidated material during the heat treatment may be increased.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing a dense, well bonded solid material from a powder may include consolidating the powder utilizing any suitable consolidation method, such as explosive shockwave consolidation. The systems and methods may also include a post-processing thermal treatment that exploits a mismatch between the coefficients of thermal expansion between the consolidated material and the container. Due to the mismatch in the coefficients, internal pressure on the consolidated material during the heat treatment may be increased.

Abstract: The explosive consolidation of semiconductor powders results in thermoelectric materials having reduced thermal conductivity without a concurrent reduction in electrical conductivity and thereby allows the construction of thermoelectric generators having improved conversion efficiencies of heat energy to electrical energy.

Abstract: A circuit for boosting the voltage from a very low level voltage source to a higher level voltage output utilizing self-oscillation.

Abstract: The explosive consolidation of semiconductor powders results in thermoelectric materials having reduced thermal conductivity without a concurrent reduction in electrical conductivity and thereby allows the construction of thermoelectric generators having improved conversion efficiencies of heat energy to electrical energy.

Abstract: Surface lighting devices including at least one light source, at least one energy storage device, and a thermoelectric power generation unit electrically coupled to the at least one energy storage device are disclosed herein. The at least one energy storage device is charged by the thermoelectric power generation unit, and the stored energy is used to illuminate the at least one light source. The surface lighting devices include a voltage step-up circuit that converts a DC voltage produced by the thermoelectric power generation unit into a higher-level DC voltage. Methods for illuminating a surface utilizing the surface lighting devices are also disclosed.