Abstract: A method is provided that integrates an autonomous energy harvesting capacity in vehicles in an aesthetically neutral manner. A unique set of structural features combine to implement a hidden energy harvesting system on a surface of the vehicle to provide electrical power to the vehicle, and/or to electrically-powered devices in the vehicle. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for forming body structures including energy filters/shutter components, including energy/light directing/scattering layers that are actively electrically switchable. The filters or components are operable between at least a first mode in which the layers, and thus the presentation of the shutter components, appear substantially transparent when viewed from an energy/light incident side, and a second mode in which the layers, and thus the presentation of the energy filters or shutter components, appear opaque to the incident energy impinging on the energy incident side. The differing modes are selectable by electrically energizing, differentially energizing and/or de-energizing electric fields in a vicinity of the energy scattering layers, including electric fields generated between a paid of transparent electrodes sandwiching an energy scattering layer.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for forming energy filter layers or shutter components, including energy scattering layers that are actively electrically switchable. The energy filters or shutter components are operable between at least a first mode in which the layers, and thus the presentation of the shutter components, appear substantially transparent when viewed from an energy/light incident side, and a second mode in which the layers, and thus the presentation of the energy filters or shutter components, appear opaque to the incident energy impinging on the energy incident side. The differing modes are selectable by electrically energizing, differentially energizing and/or de-energizing electric fields in a vicinity of the energy scattering layers. Refractive indices of transparent particles, and the transparent matrices in which the particles are fixed, are tunable according to the applied electric fields. The energy scattering layers may conceal a sensor such as a camera or photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: An electrically-powered device, structure and/or component is provided that includes an attached electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element or component. The energy harvesting component provides a mechanism for generating autonomous renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, in the integrated circuit system, structure and/or component. The energy harvesting element includes a first conductor layer, a low work function layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductor layer that are particularly configured in a manner to promote electron migration from the low work function layer, through the dielectric layer, to the facing surface of the second conductor layer in a manner that develops an electric potential between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. The energy harvesting component includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase an electrical power output.

Abstract: A method is provided that integrates an autonomous energy harvesting capacity in vehicles in an aesthetically neutral manner. A unique set of structural features combine to implement a hidden energy harvesting system on a surface of the vehicle to provide electrical power to the vehicle, and/or to electrically-powered devices in the vehicle. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for forming body structures including energy filters/shutter components, including energy/light directing/scattering layers that are actively electrically switchable. The filters or components are operable between at least a first mode in which the layers, and thus the presentation of the shutter components, appear substantially transparent when viewed from an energy/light incident side, and a second mode in which the layers, and thus the presentation of the energy filters or shutter components, appear opaque to the incident energy impinging on the energy incident side. The differing modes are selectable by electrically energizing, differentially energizing and/or de-energizing electric fields in a vicinity of the energy scattering layers, including electric fields generated between a pair of transparent electrodes sandwiching an energy scattering layer.

Abstract: A method is provided that integrates a unique set of structural features for concealing self-powered sensor and communication devices in aesthetically neutral, or camouflaged, packages that include energy harvesting systems that provide autonomous electrical power to sensors, data processing and wireless communication components in the portable, self-contained packages. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below.

Abstract: An electrically-powered device, structure and/or component is provided that includes an attached autonomous electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly structure that is configured to transform thermal energy at any temperature above absolute zero to an electric potential without any external stimulus including physical movement or deformation energy. The autonomous electrical power source component provides a mechanism for generating renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, as primary or auxiliary power for the electrically-powered device, structure and/or component. The autonomous electrical power source component is formed of one or more elements, each of which includes a first conductor having a surface with a comparatively low work function, a second conductor having a surface with the comparatively high work function and a dielectric layer on a scale of 200 nm or less interposed between the conductors.

Abstract: A method for forming a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element is provided. A configuration of the energy harvesting element causes the energy harvesting element to autonomously generate renewable energy for use in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. The energy harvesting element includes a first conductor layer, a low work function layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductor layer that are particularly configured in a manner to promote electron migration from the low work function layer, through the dielectric layer, to the facing surface of the second conductor layer in a manner that develops an electric potential between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. An energy harvesting component is also provided that includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a particular multi-layer micron-sized particle that is substantially transparent, yet that exhibits selectable coloration based on its physical properties. The disclosed physical properties of the particle are controllably selectable refractive indices to provide an opaque-appearing energy transmissive material when pluralities of the particles are suspended in a substantially transparent matrix material. Multiply-layered (up to 30+ constituent layers) particles result in an overall particle diameter of less than 5 microns. The material suspensions render the particles deliverable as aspirated or aerosol compositions onto substrates to form layers that selectively scatter specific wavelengths of electromagnetic energy while allowing remaining wavelengths of the incident energy to pass.

Abstract: A method for forming a unique, environmentally-friendly micron scale autonomous electrical power source is provided in a configuration that generates renewable energy for use in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. The configuration includes a first conductor with a facing surface conditioned to have a low work function, a second conductor with a facing surface having a comparatively higher work function, and a dielectric layer, not more than 200 nm thick, sandwiched between the respective facing surfaces of the first conductor and the second conductor. The autonomous electrical power source formed according to the disclosed method is configured to harvest minimal thermal energy from any source in an environment above absolute zero.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a particular multi-layer micron-sized particle that is substantially transparent, yet that exhibits selectable coloration based on its physical properties. The disclosed physical properties of the particle are controllably selectable refractive indices to provide an opaque-appearing energy transmissive material when pluralities of the particles are suspended in a substantially transparent matrix material. Multiply-layered (up to 30+ constituent layers) particles result in an overall particle diameter of less than 5 microns. The material suspensions render the particles deliverable as aspirated or aerosol compositions onto substrates to form layers that selectively scatter specific wavelengths of electromagnetic energy while allowing remaining wavelengths of the incident energy to pass.

Abstract: An integrated circuit system, structure and/or component is provided that includes an integrated electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element or component. The energy harvesting component provides a mechanism for generating autonomous renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, in the integrated circuit system, structure and/or component. The energy harvesting element includes a first conductor layer, a low work function layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductor layer that are particularly configured to promote electron migration from the low work function layer, through the dielectric layer, to the facing surface of the second conductor layer in a manner that develops an electric potential between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. An energy harvesting component includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.

Abstract: A method is provided that integrates an autonomous energy harvesting capacity in buildings in an aesthetically neutral manner. A unique set of structural features combine to implement a hidden energy harvesting system on a surface of the building to provide electrical power to the building, and/or to electrically-powered devices in the building. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below.

Abstract: A system is provided that integrates an autonomous energy harvesting capacity in buildings in an aesthetically neutral manner. A unique set of structural features combine to implement a hidden energy harvesting system on a surface of the building to provide electrical power to the building, and/or to electrically-powered devices in the building. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below.

Abstract: A security system is provided that integrates a unique set of structural features for concealing self-powered sensor and communication devices in aesthetically neutral, or camouflaged, packages that include energy harvesting systems that provide autonomous electrical power to sensors, data processing and wireless communication components in the portable, self-contained packages. Color-matched, image-matched and/or texture-matched optical layers are formed over energy harvesting components, including photovoltaic energy collecting components. Optical layers are tuned to scatter selectable wavelengths of electromagnetic energy back in an incident direction while allowing remaining wavelengths of electromagnetic energy to pass through the layers to the energy collecting components below.

Abstract: An electrically-powered device, structure and/or component is provided that includes an attached autonomous electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly structure that is configured to transform thermal energy at any temperature above absolute zero to an electric potential without any external stimulus including physical movement or deformation energy. The autonomous electrical power source component provides a mechanism for generating renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, as primary or auxiliary power for the electrically-powered device, structure and/or component. The autonomous electrical power source component is formed of one or more elements, each of which includes a first conductor having a surface with a comparatively low work function, a second conductor having a surface with the comparatively high work function and a dielectric layer on a scale of 200 nm or less interposed between the conductors.

Abstract: A particularly-formed multi-layer micron-sized particle is provided that is substantially transparent, yet that exhibits selectable coloration based on its physical properties. The disclosed physical properties of the particle are controllably selectable refractive indices to provide an opaque-appearing energy transmissive material when pluralities of the particles are suspended in a substantially transparent matrix material. Multiply-layered (up to 30+ constituent layers) particles result in an overall particle diameter of less than 5 microns. The material suspensions render the particles deliverable as aspirated or aerosol compositions onto substrates to form layers that selectively scatter specific wavelengths of electromagnetic energy while allowing remaining wavelengths of the incident energy to pass.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for forming one-way light transmissive layers implementing optical light scattering techniques in those layers, and to objects, object portions, lenses, filters, screens and the like that are formed of, or that otherwise incorporate, such one-way light transmissive layers. Processes are provided by which to form, or otherwise incorporate, one or more one-way light transmissive, or substantially transparent, object portions or layers in solid or hollow objects Individual one-way light transmissive layers are formed of substantially-transparent sub-micrometer spheres, including micro-particles and/or nano-particles, with nano-voids incorporated between them.

Abstract: An integrated circuit system, structure and/or component is provided that includes an integrated electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element or component. The energy harvesting component provides a mechanism for generating autonomous renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, in the integrated circuit system, structure and/or component. The energy harvesting element includes a first conductor layer, a low work function layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductor layer that are particularly configured to promote electron migration from the low work function layer, through the dielectric layer, to the facing surface of the second conductor layer in a manner that develops an electric potential between the first conductor layer and the second conductor layer. An energy harvesting component includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.