An offset corrected bandgap reference and temperature sensor is disclosed. In a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) bandgap reference, non-idealities in the operational amplifier (op-amp) bandgap reference circuit can lead to a voltage offset. This operational amplifier offset voltage is the dominant source of error in the bandgap reference. If the bandgap reference is used in a temperature sensor, it only needs to be accurate during the analog-to-digital conversion cycle. Embodiments of the present disclosure employ switched capacitors to store the operational amplifier offset during a sample mode in which the bandgap reference operates continuous-time. The operational amplifier offset is then corrected during a hold mode while the temperature sensor completes the analog-to-digital conversion.

A first generator produces a first signal that is supplied to an energy storage circuit. Energy transfer circuitry coupled to the energy storage circuit transfers energy stored in the energy storage circuit to an output node. A driver circuit coupled to the energy transfer circuitry switches the energy transfer circuitry between a state where energy from the first signal is stored in the energy storage circuit and a state where energy stored in the energy storage circuit section is delivered to the output node. A voltage at the energy storage circuit varies between an upper value and a lower value around a voltage setting point. A second generator, which is a scaled-down replica of the first generator, produces a second signal that is indicative of an open-circuit voltage of the first generator. The driver circuit uses the second signal to set the voltage setting point.

Operations for integrating thermoelectric devices in Fin FET technology may be implemented in a semiconductor device having a thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric device includes a substrate and a fin structure disposed on the substrate. The thermoelectric device includes a first connecting layer and a second connecting layer disposed on opposing ends of the fin structure. The thermoelectric device includes a first thermal conductive structure thermally and a second thermal conductive structure thermally coupled to the opposing ends of the fin structure. The fin structure may be configured to transfer heat from one of the first thermal conductive structure or the second thermal conductive structure to the other thermal conductive structure based on a direction of current flow through the fin structure. In this regard, the current flow may be adjusted by a power circuit electrically coupled to the thermoelectric device.

Differential thermoelectric devices are provided for monitoring a change of areal thermal energy dissipation rate and surface temperature profile. The devices include a through electrode connecting to different sets of thermoelectric elements at different regions of the device. A sensing circuitry is electrically connected to the thermoelectric elements to measure a voltage output.

A color conversion layer and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The manufacturing method of the color conversion layer includes steps of: subjecting a block copolymer thin film to self-assembly to obtain a self-assembled block copolymer thin film, including a plurality of main parts arranged in order, and a plurality of spacing parts disposed between the plurality of main parts; forming a protective layer covering the main parts; removing the spacing parts to form a plurality of grooves arranged in order; and dropping a color conversion layer ink into the grooves, followed by drying the color conversion layer ink to obtain the color conversion layer.

A secure RFID device is provided. The RFID device includes a switch module mounted in a recess of a device body. The switch module includes a switching portion configured to electrically connect terminal ends of an RFID antenna embedded in the switch body. In particular, forming the recess and mounting the switch module including the switching portion to the RFID device after final lamination of the same allows for the use of manufacturing techniques that result in RFID cards having high durability and required ISO qualities.

An underwater energy harvesting drone has a primary hull to be submersibly received in ocean water and a plurality of thermoelectric modules, each module of said plurality of thermoelectric modules having a first operational interface in thermal contact with the primary hull. A thermal transfer element is in contact with a second operational interface on the plurality of thermoelectric modules and an electrical power storage device is connected to the plurality of thermoelectric modules. Positioning of the submersible primary hull to create a thermal gradient between the primary hull and the thermal transfer element induces electrical power generation by the thermoelectric modules thereby charging the electrical power storage device.

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.

An improved method and apparatus for thermal-to-electric conversion involving relatively hot and cold juxtaposed surfaces separated by a small vacuum gap wherein the cold surface provides an array of single charge carrier converter elements along the surface and the hot surface transfers excitation energy to the opposing cold surface across the gap through Coulomb electrostatic coupling interaction.

A thermoelectric pumping apparatus for use with a heating device includes a water receptacle. A thermoelectric device includes a “cool” side coupled to the receptacle and an opposed “hot” side, the thermoelectric device generating current upon a temperature differential between the cool and hot sides. A conduction member is proximate the hot side and in selective communication with the heating device. A spring is positioned between a top side of the conduction member and receptacle, the spring being movable between a compressed configuration at which the conduction member is in thermal communication with the hot side of the thermoelectric device and an extended configuration at which the top side of the conduction member is not in thermal communication with the hot side of the thermoelectric device. A water pump is in fluid communication with the water in the receptacle and selectively energized by the thermoelectric device to output the water.