Abstract: An improved efficiency thin film solar cell is disclosed. Nanoscale indentations or protrusions are formed on the cross sectional surface of a carrier layer, onto which a thin metal film is deposited. Additional layers, including semiconductor absorber and collector layers and a window layer, are disposed on the metal film, thereby completing the solar cell. The nanostructure underlying the metal film serves to reduce the work function of the metal and thereby assists in the absorption of holes created by solar photons. This leads to more efficient electricity generation in the solar cell. In a further embodiment of the present invention the cross sectional surface of the semiconductor absorber layer is also modified by nanoscale indentations or protrusions. These indentations or protrusions have the effect of altering the size of the semiconductor band gap, thereby optimizing the radiation absorption properties of the solar cell.

Abstract: A thermionic or thermotunneling converter consisting of two electrodes maintained at a desired distance from one another by means of spacers in which the electrodes comprise silicon coated with a hard material, or comprise a ceramic or other refractory material. The spacers are formed by oxidizing one electrode, protecting certain oxidized areas and removing the remainder of the oxidized layer. The protected oxidized areas remain as spacers. These spacers have the effect of maintaining the electrodes at a desired distance without the need for active elements, thus greatly reducing costs.

Abstract: A thermionic or thermotunneling generator or heat pump is disclosed, comprising electrodes substantially facing one another and separated by spacers disposed between the electrodes, wherein the substrate material for the cathode is preferably a single crystalline silicon wafer while the substrate for the anode is an organic wafer, and preferably a polished polyimide (PI) wafer. On the cathode side, standard silicon wafer processes create the 10-1000 nm thin spacers and edge seals from thermally grown oxide. Either wafer is partially covered with a thin film of material that is characterized by high electrical conductivity and low work function. In one embodiment, the cathode is partially covered with a thin film of Ag—Cs—O. In another embodiment, the anode is additionally covered with a thin film of Ag—Cs—O, in which case the work function of the cathode coating material is reduced further utilizing an Avto Metal structure of nanoscale patterned indents.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a self-propelled aircraft undercarriage for driving an aircraft on the ground, comprising: an axle; a strut supporting said axle; at least one wheel rotatably mounted on said axle; and drive means for driving said at least one wheel; characterized in that said drive means is disk shaped and is external to said wheel. In one embodiment of the invention, said drive means is mounted on said axle between said strut and said wheel. In a second embodiment, said drive means is mounted on said axle, on the side of said wheel furthest from said strut.

Abstract: A starter/generator machine for a turbine with a turbine enclosure, an air duct, and a plurality of fan blades is provided. The starter/generator machine includes a plurality of stator elements spaced at intervals in a ring shape adjacent to the air duct and a plurality of rotor elements mounted on the fan blades. The stator elements and the rotor elements are mounted to interact magnetically to exert a force sufficient to move the rotor elements. The stator elements are shaped to minimize air flow interference and are formed with a core, at least one pole, and multiple windings. The spacing between the stator elements and the rotor elements forms an air gap on the order of 5-10 mm, and the number of stator elements is different from the number of rotor elements.

Abstract: A thermionic converter is disclosed comprising a single or multiple hot (emitter) and cold (collector) electrodes mounted side-by-side on a single substrate and a static electrostatic field for guiding electron from the emitter to the collector. The thermal path between emitter and collector electrodes is interrupted by cuts or trenches, and electrical connections to the electrodes are routed over a meander-like, high thermal resistance pathway cut into the substrate to further reduce thermal loss. In one embodiment, there is an Avto metal surface texture of nanoscale indents on one or more of the electrodes to lower a work function. A method for fabricating the monolithic thermionic converter is further disclosed.

Abstract: A thermionic or thermotunneling gap diode device consisting of two silicon electrodes maintained at a desired distance from one another by means of spacers. These spacers are formed by oxidizing one electrode, protecting certain oxidized areas and removing the remainder of the oxidized layer. The protected oxidized areas remain as spacers. These spacers have the effect of maintaining the electrodes at a desired distance without the need for active elements, thus greatly reducing costs.

Abstract: A thermionic or thermotunneling converter consisting of two electrodes maintained at a desired distance from one another by means of spacers in which the electrodes comprise silicon coated with a hard material, or comprise a ceramic or other refractory material. The spacers are formed by oxidizing one electrode, protecting certain oxidized areas and removing the remainder of the oxidized layer. The protected oxidized areas remain as spacers. These spacers have the effect of maintaining the electrodes at a desired distance without the need for active elements, thus greatly reducing costs.

Abstract: A turbine starter/generator machine for a turbine, said turbine comprising: at least one fan blade; at least one turbine enclosure; said starter/generator machine comprising: at least one rotor having rotor elements; at least one stator having stator elements; wherein said stator elements are mounted on said at least one air duct and said rotor elements are mounted on said at least one fan blade; whereby said stator elements magnetically interact with said rotor elements.

Abstract: A thermionic or thermotunneling generator or heat pump is disclosed, comprising electrodes substantially facing one another and separated by spacers disposed between the electrodes, wherein the substrate material for the cathode is preferably a single crystalline silicon wafer while the substrate for the anode is an organic wafer, and preferably a polished polyimide (PI) wafer. On the cathode side, standard silicon wafer processes create the 10-1000 nm thin spacers and edge seals from thermally grown oxide. Either wafer is partially covered with a thin film of material that is characterized by high electrical conductivity and low work function. In one embodiment, the cathode is partially covered with a thin film of Ag—Cs—O. In another embodiment, the anode is additionally covered with a thin film of Ag—Cs—O, in which case the work function of the cathode coating material is reduced further utilizing an Avto Metal structure of nanoscale patterned indents.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a self-propelled aircraft undercarriage for driving an aircraft on the ground, comprising: an axle; a strut supporting said axle; at least one wheel rotatably mounted on said axle; and drive means for driving said at least one wheel; characterized in that said drive means is disk shaped and is external to said wheel. In one embodiment of the invention, said drive means is mounted on said axle between said strut and said wheel. In a second embodiment, said drive means is mounted on said axle, on the side of said wheel furthest from said strut.

Abstract: A thermionic converter is disclosed comprising a single or multiple hot (emitter) and cold (collector) electrodes mounted side-by-side on a single substrate and a static electromagnetic for guiding electrodes from the emitter to the collector. The thermal path between emitter and collector electrodes is interrupted by cuts or trenches, and electrical connections to the electrodes are routed over a meander-like, high thermal resistance pathway cut into the substrate to further reduce thermal loss. In one embodiment, an Avto metal surface texture of nanoscale indents is provided on one or more of the electrodes to lower a work function. A method for fabricating said monolithic thermionic converter is further disclosed.

Abstract: A motor is disclosed comprising: at least one stator comprising a magnetic core and at least one magnetic winding, having a cylindrical internal cavity; at least one cylindrical rotor inside said stator, comprising magnetically conductive materials; said rotor having an outer diameter significantly smaller than the inner diameter of said stator, being eccentrically mounted with respect to said stator and able to move within, said fixed member; wherein magnetic normal force is induced in said stator periodically, whereby said rotor is periodically moved by magnetic force with respect to said stator, whereby rotary motion is produced; said motor further having: an output shaft concentric with said stator; transmission means for absorbing oscillation and transmitting rotation; wherein said induced magnetic normal force rotates around the circumference of said stator, such that a contact patch between said rotor and said stator rotates around the inner circumference of said stator; whereby said rotor oscillates a