Abstract: A thermoelectric generator of compact size, having a simple structure configured for increasing the conversion efficiency of thermal energy into electric energy, so as it is possible to transform into electric current also as amount of heat per unit surface greater than thin film prior art devices, has a base silicon wafer and a cover silicon wafer, wherein the cover silicon wafer is facing said base silicon wafer in such a way that the respective top contacts are in contact and the space between the cover silicon wafer and the base silicon wafer is a space in which vacuum is made or a gas is present, in particular air.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator of compact size, having a simple structure configured for increasing the conversion efficiency of thermal energy into electric energy, so as it is possible to transform into electric current also as amount of heat per unit surface greater than thin film prior art devices, has a base silicon wafer and a cover silicon wafer, wherein the cover silicon wafer is facing said base silicon wafer in such a way that the respective top contacts are in contact and the space between the cover silicon wafer and the base silicon wafer is a space in which vacuum is made or a gas is present, in particular air.

Abstract: Disclosed are two geometrically identical integrated Z-device structures, integrated in two distinct silicon dices, joined together in a face-to-face configuration, such that a p-doped thin film leg of one structure faces toward a n-doped thin film leg of the other structure and vice versa. Upon joining the Z-device structures together, the hill-top metal contacts of one integrated structure are bonded in electrical and thermal continuity with correspondent hill-top metal contacts of the other integrated structure, forming a substantially bivalve TEG of increased power yield for the same footprint area and having an enhanced conversion efficiency. Thermo-electrically generated current may be gathered from one or several end pad pairs, the pads of which are connected to respective valley bottom contacts, on one and on the other of the two dices of the bivalve device, at the ends of conductive lines of micro cells respectively belonging to one and to the other of the two coupled dices.

Abstract: Disclosed are two geometrically identical integrated Z-device structures, integrated in two distinct silicon dices, joined together in a face-to-face configuration, such that a p-doped thin film leg of one structure faces toward a n-doped thin film leg of the other structure and vice versa. Upon joining the Z-device structures together, the hill-top metal contacts of one integrated structure are bonded in electrical and thermal continuity with correspondent hill-top metal contacts of the other integrated structure, forming a substantially bivalve TEG of increased power yield for the same footprint area and having an enhanced conversion efficiency. Thermo-electrically generated current may be gathered from one or several end pad pairs, the pads of which are connected to respective valley bottom contacts, on one and on the other of the two dices of the bivalve device, at the ends of conductive lines of micro cells respectively belonging to one and to the other of the two coupled dices.

Abstract: A method for detecting the geometry of underground fractures comprising: introducing a filling material (14) into an underground fracture (11) to form a pack of filling material (14); transmitting an electromagnetic field into the fracture (11); detecting at least one reflected signal of the electromagnetic field transmitted; and processing the at least one detected signal to reconstruct the geometric and dimensional characteristics of the pack of filling material (14); wherein the electromagnetic field transmitted into the fracture (11) has a frequency comprised in the range of between 30 megahertz and 250 megahertz and in that said filling material is not added with any additives; and a system for implementing the aforementioned method.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for detecting the geometry of underground fractures comprising the steps consisting of introducing a filling material (14) into an underground fracture (11) to form a pack of filling material (14); transmitting an electromagnetic field into the fracture (11); detecting at least one reflected signal of the electromagnetic field transmitted; and processing the at least one detected signal to reconstruct the geometric and dimensional characteristics of the pack of filling material (14); and it is characterised in that the electromagnetic field transmitted into the fracture (11) has a frequency comprised in the range of between 30 megahertz and 250 megahertz and in that said filling material is not added with any additives. The present invention also refers to a system for detecting the geometry of underground fractures for implementing the aforementioned method.