Abstract: Methods and apparatus for converting kinetic energy of an energetic particle into electrical energy and for accelerating charged particles. A stack of substantially parallel conductors separated by gaps is disposed such that the conductors are substantially parallel to the surface of a cathode, with the conductors mutually electrically uncoupled. An anode is disposed at an end of the stack of conductors distal to the cathode, and a power management system applies a bias voltage between the cathode and the anode and collects charge deposited at the anode in the form of current in an external electrical circuit.

Abstract: An electromagnetic energy collector and sensor use enhanced fields to emit electrons for energy collection. The collector and sensor collect energy from visible light, infrared radiation and ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation. The collector and sensor include a waveguide with a geometry selected to enhance the electric field along a conductor to create a high, localized electric field, which causes electron emission across a gap to a return plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gaseous fossil fuel fired, indirectly heated, Brayton closed cycle comprising an alkali metal seeded noble gases that is rendered non-equilibrium, electrically conducting in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) electric power generator with zero emissions from the combustion products, including physical separation and sequestration of the carbon dioxide (CO2) what is emitted from the fossil fuel, with said cycle combined with a Rankine steam turbine bottoming cycle to compress the noble gas, while another optional new or existing Rankine steam cycle is placed in parallel and separate from the MHD cycle, and it is fired by the solid char remaining if the MHD cycle is fired with the devolatilized coal, and/or with solid coal culm, and/or unburned carbon in coal power plant waste ash, in order to achieve high efficiency at low capital, low operating, and low fuel costs.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for harnessing heat energy uses at least one thermally conductive material in communication with a heat collecting material in order to conduct heat from a first region of the heat collecting material to a second region of the heat collecting material. The thermally conductive material can be interspersed within the heat collecting material and/or applied externally to the heat collecting material. Heat drawn from the second portion can be stored and/or converted into another form of energy for providing power to a structure or vehicle. Conversion can use the differential between the temperature of the second region and the temperature of a cold sink. Additional heat can be added to the heat collecting material.

Abstract: A method of producing a porous thin-film-deposition substrate, which has the steps of: placing onto a substrate that has an electrostatic charge on its surface, fine particles with a surface electrostatic charge opposite to the electrostatic charge of the substrate surface, depositing a thin film on the fine-particle-placed substrate, and then removing the fine particles to form fine pores in the thin film; further, a method of producing an electron emitting element, which has the steps of: adding a catalyst metal on a substrate, placing fine particles onto the catalyst-added substrate, depositing a thin film on the fine-particle-placed substrate, then removing the fine particles to form fine pores in the film, and growing needle-shaped conductors on the catalyst metal that is exposed on a bottom face of the fine pore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that converts energy provided by a chemical reaction into energy for charging a quantum well device. The disclosed apparatus comprises a catalyst layer that catalyzes a chemical reaction and captures hot electrons and hot phonons generated by the chemical reaction, and an interface layer placed between the catalyst layer and a quantum well. The interface layer facilitates the transfer of hot electrons and hot phonons from the catalyst layer into the quantum well layer. The interface layer can also convert hot electrons into hot phonons, and vice versa, depending upon the needs of the particular quantum well device. Because the hot electrons and the hot phonons are unstable and readily degrade into heat energy, the dimensions of the catalyst layer and the interface layer are very small. To improve the efficiency of the transfer of hot electrons and hot phonons to the quantum well, other interface layers, such as a catalyst interlayer and a catalyst interface, may be utilized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid injection and recovery device capable of spraying a fluid over an object, recovering at least, the sprayed fluid, as well as filtering and recycling the recovered fluid. This fluid injection and recovery device comprises: a main tank capable of containing fluid; a filter unit capable of filtering the fluid contained in the main tank; a fluid sprayer for spraying the fluid filtered with the filter unit over an object; and a recovery unit capable of recovering, into the main tank, the fluid sprayed over the object and the matter removed by the fluid.

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.

Abstract: A method for powering a vehicle comprises, in one embodiment, receiving infrared radiation emitted as heat from a roadway surface, and converting energy of the infrared radiation to a form of energy that is useful for providing power to the vehicle. In another embodiment, a method for powering a vehicle comprises: insulating a first region of a road's surface with a material that transmits visible light but blocks infrared radiation, while leaving a second region of the surface uninsulated; conducting heat from portions of the road beneath the first region, to the second region; receiving infrared radiation emitted as heat from the second region; and converting energy of the infrared radiation to a form of energy that is useful for providing power to the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-powered microthermionic converter having an internal thermal power source integrated into the microthermionic converter. These converters can have high energy-conversion efficiencies over a range of operating temperatures. Microengineering techniques are used to manufacture the converter. The utilization of an internal thermal power source increases potential for mobility and incorporation into small devices. High energy efficiency is obtained by utilization of micron-scale interelectrode gap spacing. Alpha-particle emitting radioisotopes can be used for the internal thermal power source, such as curium and polonium isotopes.

Abstract: A power source converts &agr;-particle energy to electricity for use in electrical systems. Liquid gallium or other liquid medium is subjected to &agr;-particle emissions. Electrons are freed by collision from neutral gallium atoms to provide gallium ions. The electrons migrate to a cathode while the gallium ions migrate to an anode. A current and/or voltage difference then arises between the cathode and anode because of the work function difference of the cathode and anode. Gallium atoms are regenerated by the receiving of electrons from the anode enabling the generation of additional electrons from additional &agr;-particle collisions.

Abstract: An improved high energy-density battery for producing continuous low-voltage electrical energy is powered by direct conversion of the kinetic energy of charged particles to electrical potentials. An improved battery comprises at least one primary energy source and a plurality of cells, each cell comprising a secondary electron emitter plate spaced apart from a collector plate. Cells are configured to maximize the number of relatively low-energy secondary electrons from the emitter plates which reaches and is retained by collector plates. Heat production is minimized during efficient energy conversion of the relatively high-energy of primary charged particles to the lower energy but relatively high current capacity of large numbers of secondary electrons.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator includes a movable plate arranged on a substrate through a gap, a movable electrode arranged on the movable plate, and a fixed electrode arranged on the substrate to oppose the movable electrode. The movable electrode and the fixed electrode are arranged not to overlap at any portion in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the fixed electrode. The movable electrode and the fixed electrode have comb-like shapes.

Abstract: A power cell which converts ionizing radiation into electrical energy. The power cell includes a multi-layer composite source element which includes a charged particle emitter layer, first and second source dielectric layers, a source collector layer and a source retarding layer. The source element is disposed within a multi-layer composite shield element having an absorber layer, first and second shield dielectric layers, a shield collector layer, and a shield retarding layer. An anode is connected to the emitter layer and a cathode to the collector layer. The emitter layer produces charged particles which interact with the dielectric layers to eject electrons which are collected by the collector layer to generate a potential between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting personnel and the environment from harmful emissions of radiation from a source thereof includes a plurality of shielding parts so located as to be in the path of the radioactive emissions and to absorb them (one such part being located farther away from the source of emissions than the other) so that an electrical potential difference between the shielding parts is established, due to different absorptions of radiation by them, means for consuming electrical power at a location remote from the radioactive source, and electrical conductors communicating the consuming means (or load) with such shielding parts. Although the invention is primarily intended for protecting personnel and the environment against emissions from radiation sources, such as radioactive wastes, it is also useful for shielding other sources of harmful radiated emissions. Also within the invention are processes for protecting personnel and the environment against radiation hazards.

Abstract: A radiation gradient is utilized to transform harmful radiant energy into safer, more useful forms, thus collecting, controlling and consuming the energies of radiant emissions and protecting the environment and living organisms from them. More specifically, there is disclosed a new process for shielding emitters of harmful radiation by establishing an electrical circuit, which process includes shielding the source of radiation while collecting the energy of relatively more radiation on an electrically conductive material and collecting the energy of relatively less radiation on other electrically conductive material, which may include a ground or external sink, thus establishing a difference in electrical potential, and transferring this potential difference, along with any potential difference from auxiliary devices, outside the shielded area, to resistors and/or variable other loads, which consume the voltage as it is created.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for converting radioactive energy into electrical energy, with the apparatus including an outer radioactive protective shell and a radioactive fuel source located within that shell. In a preferred embodiment, three mutually perpendicular magnetic fields are provided to separate alpha and beta particles emitted from the radioactive fuel source and to direct the alpha particles to a first predetermined region of the shell while directing the beta particles to a second predetermined region. An alpha collector is situated adjacent the first region to collect the alpha particles directed to that region, while a beta collector is situated within the second region to collect beta particles directed thereto. Structure is provided to permit removal of gaseous by-product from within the shell, and output leads are provided to utilize the collected alpha and beta particles to create electric current.

Abstract: A power cell for generating useful electrical power from high frequency electromagnetic radiation comprising a spiral-wound, multi-layer film forming a cylindrical body with a central opening for receiving the radiation source. The film has in succession a conductive grounded emitter layer, a first intermediate layer of dielectric material, a second intermediate layer of a material having a substantial Compton effect, a conductive collector layer, a third intermediate layer of the same dielectric material, a conductive retarding layer, and an insulating layer. The collector and emitter layers are to be connected to the opposite terminals of a load. A bleeder regulator is connected between the retarding and collector layers to pass excess charge on the retarding layer to the collector layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting personnel and the environment from harmful emissions of radiation from a source thereof includes a plurality of shielding parts so located as to be in the path of the radioactive emissions and to absorb them (one such part being located farther away from the source of emissions than the other) so that an electrical potential difference between the shielding parts is established, due to different absorptions of radiation by them, means for consuming electrical power at a location remote from the radioactive source, and electrical conductors communicating the consuming means (or load) with such shielding parts. Although the invention is primarily intended for protecting personnel and the environment against emissions from radiation sources, such as radioactive wastes, it is also useful for shielding other sources of harmful radiated emissions. Also within the invention are processes for protecting personnel and the environment against radiation hazards.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a radioisotope photoelectric generator for producing electrical energy. The construction of the generator is similar to that of a well-known storage battery. The generator is composed of alternate layers of high-Z, (high atomic-number) and low-Z(low atomic number) material which are insulated by vacuum or other insulating material. Low-energy photons from a radioactive source interact predominantly with the high-Z material by the photoelectric process, ejecting photoelectrons whose energy extends up to the incident gamma-ray energy E. By selecting the high-Z material thickness to be less than one electron range (at energy E) and the low-Z material thickness to be more than one electron range, there is a net electron transfer from the high-Z plates to the low-Z plates because electrons are emitted predominantly from the high-Z plates and stop in the low-Z plates. After start-up, a potential difference will build up between the high-Z and low-Z plates.

Abstract: An electrical battery comprised of a substrate of a radioactively ionized, electrically polarized, polycrystalline ferroelectric ceramic material, which is disposed between a pair of conductive electrodes. The radioactive ionization produces non-equilibrium carriers in the substrate, resulting in the development of an emf across the electrodes.