Abstract: Novel materials, material deposition methods, and devices used to generate electrical power from thermal radiators based on thermophotovoltatic (TPV) operating principles using group IV-VI alloys and materials are disclosed. A semiconductor structure comprising (N) stacked junctions, each junction formed of a IV-VI semiconductor alloy and each of said N junctions having a bandgap, where N is an integer and N>1 is disclosed. The semiconductor structure is configured to capture electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths from about 1 ?m to about 7 ?m. TPV devices comprising the novel semiconductor structure and methods of making the novel structures and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid generator using a thermoelectric generation and a piezoelectric generation are provided. The hybrid generator includes first and second insulating layers spaced apart from each other; a thermoelectric structure disposed between the first and second insulating layers; a first electrode disposed on the second insulating layer; a piezoelectric structure disposed on the first electrode; a third insulating layer disposed on the piezoelectric structure; and a second electrode disposed on the third insulating layer.

Abstract: Arrays containing carbon nanostructure-oxide-metal diodes, such as carbon nanotube (CNT)-oxide-metal diodes and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. In some embodiments, the arrays contain vertically aligned carbon nanostructures, such as multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated with a conformal coating of a dielectric layer, such as a metal oxide. The tips of the carbon nano-structures are coated with a low work function metal, such as a calcium or aluminum to form a nanostructure-oxide-metal interface at the tips. The arrays can be used as rectenna at frequencies up to about 40 petahertz because of their intrinsically low capacitance. The arrays described herein produce high asymmetry and non-linearity at low turn on voltages down to 0.3 V and large current densities up to about 7,800 mA/cm2 and a rectification ratio of at least about 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, or 60.

Abstract: A system for supplying power to at least one power distribution and data hub using a portable battery pack including a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin is disclosed, wherein the pouch or skin can be provided in different colors and/or patterns. Further, the pouch or skin can be MOLLE-compatible. The battery comprises a battery element housed between a battery cover and a back plate, wherein the battery element, battery cover, and back plate have a slight curvature or contour. Further, the battery comprises flexible leads.

Abstract: A housing for a thermoelectric module can stably protect individual elements of the thermoelectric module such as thermoelectric elements, electrodes, and insulating boards, while maintaining power generation performance of the thermoelectric module. The housing for a thermoelectric module includes: a housing enveloping at least one thermoelectric module; and a heat barrier unit configured to prevent a flow of heat from being transferred through a sidewall of the housing.

Abstract: A portable battery pack comprising a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin is disclosed, wherein the pouch or skin can be provided in different colors and/or patterns. Further, the pouch or skin can be MOLLE-compatible. The battery comprises a battery element housed between a battery cover and a back plate, wherein the battery element, battery cover, and back plate have a slight curvature or contour. Further, the battery comprises flexible leads.

Abstract: A porous semiconductor layer contains anatase-type titanium oxide particles (A) which have an average primary particle size of 1 nm to 70 nm, and particles (B) obtained by coating surfaces of rutile-type titanium oxide particles, which have an average primary particle size of 100 nm to 1,000 nm, with an insulating material.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor circuit layer and a semiconductor thermoelectric layer disposed on a substrate. The circuit layer includes a first circuit and a second circuit disposed horizontally in a first direction. The thermoelectric layer includes a first on-die thermoelectric element, where the thermoelectric layer is disposed on the circuit layer including the first circuit and the second circuit. The first on-die thermoelectric element is configured to distribute heat generated at the first circuit horizontally in the first direction toward the second circuit.

Abstract: A solar power system includes a plurality of solar power cells mounted on an outer surface of a spherical frame, the spherical frame including an inner surface that defines an interior volume; at least one magnet mounted adjacent the outer surface of the spherical frame or within the interior volume of the spherical frame and configured to generate a magnetic field within the interior volume; and a magnetized heat transfer fluid disposed and flowable within the interior volume of the spherical frame based, at least in part, on an amount of heat transferred from the outer surface of the spherical frame into the magnetized heat transfer fluid and the magnetic field.

Abstract: A portable battery pack comprising a battery enclosed by a wearable and replaceable pouch or skin is disclosed, wherein the pouch or skin can be provided in different colors and/or patterns. Further, the pouch or skin can be MOLLE-compatible. The battery comprises a battery element housed between a battery cover and a back plate, wherein the battery element, battery cover, and back plate have a slight curvature or contour. Further, the battery comprises flexible leads.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a thermoelectric conversion module with low toxicity, which exhibits conversion efficiency equivalent to that of BiTe. The thermoelectric conversion module of the present invention employs a full Heusler alloy as the material for forming the P-type thermoelectric conversion unit and the N-type thermoelectric conversion unit. The material for forming the N-type thermoelectric conversion unit contains at least any one of Fe, Ti, and Si and Sn.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module mounted on an uneven surface (a curved surface or an irregular surface) to reduce thermal boundary resistance and significantly improve thermoelectric power generation efficiency is provided. The thermoelectric module includes one or more first thermoelectric elements, one or more second thermoelectric elements having opposite polarity to that of the first thermoelectric elements and alternating with the first thermoelectric element. An electrode unit in provided and includes upper and lower electrodes configured to electrically connect the first and second thermoelectric elements. A connection member is configured to connect the first and second thermoelectric elements to vary the relative positions of the first and second thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: In a solar cell module, a first encapsulant and a second encapsulant are provided between a first protective member and a second protective member, and solar cells are provided between the first encapsulant and the second encapsulant. A connecting tab wire cover is laminated on the first encapsulant. A connecting tab wire encapsulant is laminated on the connecting tab wire cover. The multiple solar cells are laminated on the first encapsulant. Through a slit formed on the connecting tab wire encapsulant, fixing members fix a connecting tab wire, which connects multiple solar cells, and the connecting tab wire cover.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material is manufactured by a manufacturing process including annealing at an annealing temperature from 125° C. to 200° C. and for an annealing time from 5 minutes to 12 hours applied to a substance selected from the group consisting of conductive polymer, polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), tosylate (TOS), chloride and perchlorate and a substance as solvent selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide and isopropanol.

Abstract: A solar power system includes a plurality of solar power cells mounted on an outer surface of a spherical frame, the spherical frame including an inner surface that defines an interior volume; a heat sink that includes a hollow housing mounted within the interior volume of the spherical frame; and a phase change material positioned in the hollow housing of the heat sink, the phase change material thermally coupled to the inner surface of the spherical frame to receive heat from the outer surface of the spherical frame.

Abstract: The invention provides an optoelectronic device comprising: (i) a porous dielectric scaffold material; and (ii) a semiconductor having a band gap of less than or equal to 3.0 eV, in contact with the scaffold material. Typically the semiconductor, which may be a perovskite, is disposed on the surface of the porous dielectric scaffold material, so that it is supported on the surfaces of pores within the scaffold. In one embodiment, the optoelectronic device is an optoelectronic device which comprises a photoactive layer, wherein the photoactive layer comprises: (a) said porous dielectric scaffold material; (b) said semiconductor; and (c) a charge transporting material. The invention further provides the use, as a photoactive material in an optoelectronic device, of: (i) a porous dielectric scaffold material; and (ii) a semiconductor having a band gap of less than or equal to 3.0 eV, in contact with the scaffold material.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator system of an engine is provided and includes an insulating heat protective cover that is mounted within an engine. Additionally, a unit is disposed at an upper end of the heat protective cover to uniformly distribute heat energy to use the heat protective cover mounted at an upper end of an exhaust manifold of the engine to protect a wiring from exhaust heat. Accordingly, heat energy discarded from the exhaust manifold is absorbed to generate electricity using the waste heat discarded from the exhaust manifold without affecting the catalyst to improve the fuel efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Further, heat is transferred by conduction at a particular temperature or greater and heat is transferred by radiation and convection at a temperature less than the particular temperature to increase the efficiency.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module with high efficiency is provided. The thermoelectric module may include a first substrate including a plurality of first electrodes, a second substrate provided opposite the first substrate and including a plurality of second electrodes, a plurality of thermoelectric devices provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and electrically connected to the first electrodes and the second electrodes, and a wire connection hole configured to penetrate through at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate and expose a portion of at least one surface of the first electrodes and the second electrodes.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a chemical sensor and a method of fabricating a chemical sensor that includes a membrane having full circumferential adhesion. The chemical sensor device includes a silicon substrate comprising a sensor-side and a backside. The sensor-side includes a sensor-side electrode; a first passivation layer disposed on the substrate; and a second passivation layer on the first passivation layer and adjacent to the sensor-side electrode, the passivation layer comprising an adhesion trench exposing a portion of the first passivation layer, and a polyimide ring disposed on the second passivation layer. The backside includes a backside electrode on the backside of the substrate. The substrate includes an electrically isolated doped region, such as a through silicon via, electrically connecting the sensor-side electrode and the backside electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for a trace oxygen sensor is configured with a floating cathode that has a capability to detect part-per-billion (ppb) level or less of oxygen in a gas background. An electrolyte reservoir can supply electrolyte when electrolyte level is low. An electrolyte reservoir may be connected to the main cell along with a protection electrode.