Abstract: In one aspect, a composite material is disclosed herein that includes graphene platelets dispersed in a matrix. In some cases, the graphene platelets are randomly oriented within the matrix. The composite material can provide improved thermal conductivity and may be formed into heat spreaders or other thermal management devices to provide improved cooling to electronic, electrical components and semiconductor devices.

Abstract: In one aspect, conduction cooled modules are described herein. In some implementations, a conduction cooled module comprises first and second external support structures arranged in facing opposition to one another, forming a component envelope therebetween. In some implementations, the modules are configured to contact at least one cold plate and to retain at least one printed wiring board in the component envelope in between the first external support structure and the second external support structure.

Abstract: In one aspect, a composite material is disclosed herein that includes graphene platelets dispersed in a matrix. In some cases, the graphene platelets are randomly oriented within the matrix. The composite material can provide improved thermal conductivity and may be formed into heat spreaders or other thermal management devices to provide improved cooling to electronic, electrical components and semiconductor devices.

Abstract: In one aspect, a composite material is disclosed herein that includes graphene platelets dispersed in a matrix. In some cases, the graphene platelets are randomly oriented within the matrix. The composite material can provide improved thermal conductivity and may be formed into heat spreaders or other thermal management devices to provide improved cooling to electronic, electrical components and semiconductor devices.

Abstract: In one aspect, conduction cooled modules are described herein. In some implementations, a conduction cooled module comprises first and second external support structures arranged in facing opposition to one another, forming a component envelope therebetween. In some implementations, the modules are configured to contact at least one cold plate and to retain at least one printed wiring board in the component envelope in between the first external support structure and the second external support structure.

Abstract: In one aspect, a composite material is disclosed herein that includes graphene platelets dispersed in a matrix. In some cases, the graphene platelets are randomly oriented within the matrix. The composite material can provide improved thermal conductivity and may be formed into heat spreaders or other thermal management devices to provide improved cooling to electronic, electrical components and semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator assembly may comprise a frame that may include a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member and the second frame member are adapted to retain one or more thermoelectric generator devices in position therebetween for transferring heat energy through the one or more thermoelectric generator devices from a heat source to a heat sink to generate electrical energy. The thermoelectric generator assembly may also include a spacer positioned between the first frame member and the second frame member. A power bus may be included to provide the electrical energy generated by the one or more thermoelectric generator devices for powering an electrical device.

Abstract: An electrical conductor is described that includes a plurality of nano-scale material elements and a resin matrix, wherein the nano-scale material elements are aligned within the resin matrix.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a conductor includes providing a plurality of conductive nano-scale material elements, dispersing the nano-scale material elements within a resin to provide a resin-nano-scale material mixture, aligning the nano-scale material elements within the resin-nano-scale material mixture, and curing the resin-nano-scale material mixture.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of integrated solar cells and battery devices, in addition to disclosing methods of distributing energy. In one embodiment of the invention, an integrated solar cell and battery device may include a top layer, a middle layer, and a bottom layer. The top, middle, and bottom layers may be made of Nanoscale material, and may comprise sublayers. The top layer may include one or more solar cells, while the bottom layer may include a battery. The middle layer may direct thermal energy from the top layer to the bottom layer. The device may also include one or more electronic circuits adapted to control electrical charge along one or more paths between the solar cells and the battery. The Nanoscale materials of the top, middle, and bottom layers may comprise a plurality of Nanotubes or a plurality of Nanowires.

Abstract: A conductive wire includes a metallic wire substrate having a diameter and a surface, and a coating material having a plurality of carbon nanotubes dispersed therein. The coating material is operable to adhere a portion of the carbon nanotubes to the surface of the wire. The coating material has higher specific conductivity than the metallic wire substrate and also has a low contact resistance with the metallic wire substrate.

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator assembly may comprise a frame that may include a first frame member and a second frame member. The first frame member and the second frame member are adapted to retain one or more thermoelectric generator devices in position therebetween for transferring heat energy through the one or more thermoelectric generator devices from a heat source to a heat sink to generate electrical energy. The thermoelectric generator assembly may also include a spacer positioned between the first frame member and the second frame member. A power bus may be included to provide the electrical energy generated by the one or more thermoelectric generator devices for powering an electrical device.

Abstract: An electrical conductor is described that includes a plurality of nano-scale material elements and a resin matrix, wherein the nano-scale material elements are aligned within the resin matrix. A method for fabricating such a conductor is also described.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of integrated solar cells and battery devices, in addition to disclosing methods of distributing energy. In one embodiment of the invention, an integrated solar cell and battery device may include a top layer, a middle layer, and a bottom layer. The top, middle, and bottom layers may be made of Nanoscale material, and may comprise sublayers. The top layer may include one or more solar cells, while the bottom layer may include a battery. The middle layer may direct thermal energy from the top layer to the bottom layer. The device may also include one or more electronic circuits adapted to control electrical charge along one or more paths between the solar cells and the battery. The Nanoscale materials of the top, middle, and bottom layers may comprise a plurality of Nanotubes or a plurality of Nanowires.

Abstract: Solar cells, particularly GaAs/GaSb tandem solar cells, are mechanically and electrically connected in the form of a string using a flexible circuit tape and mounted in optical alignment with solar energy concentrators in a module. A heat spreader body is attached to each cell unit as part of a heat sink and the cells are precisely positioned to provide optical alignment. The flexible circuit tape is formed by conductive strips sandwiched between layers of polymer dielectric tape and provided with tabs at predefined holes in the tape for bonding to current carrying surfaces of concentrated sunlight tandem solar cell units.

Abstract: Individual solar cells are electrically interconnected through an interconnect circuit supported on a flexible dielectric substrate. The solar cells are connected directly to the interconnect circuit by contact fingers that are an integral part of the interconnect circuit. The interconnection of the individual solar cells can be accomplished by manual or automated process.