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.

Provided herein are thermionic converters that are capable of operating at lower temperatures and with increased efficiency as compared to conventional thermionic converters. Also provided are methods of using and making the thermionic converters of the disclosure.

Provided herein are thermionic converters that are capable of operating at lower temperatures and with increased efficiency as compared to conventional thermionic converters. Also provided are methods of using and making the thermionic converters of the disclosure.

A power generation element includes: a substrate including mutually opposed first and second principal surfaces; an electrode portion provided on the first principal surface and the second principal surface, the electrode portion including a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion; and an intermediate portion including nanoparticles. The substrate includes a first substrate portion and a second substrate portion that are mutually overlapped viewed in a first direction. The first principal surface of the first substrate portion includes a first separated surface and a first joint surface. The second principal surface of the second substrate portion includes a second separated surface and a second joint surface.

An embodiment relates to an apparatus including first, second, and third electrodes and first and second transport media. The first electrode includes opposite first and second surfaces having first and second work function values, respectively. The second electrode includes a third surface facing the first surface and having a third work function value. The third electrode includes a fourth surface facing the second surface and having a fourth work function value. The third and fourth work function values are different than the first and second work function values. The third electrode is electrically coupled to the second electrode. The first transport medium is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode and includes first nanoparticles. The second transport medium is positioned between the first electrode and the third electrode and includes second nanoparticles. In embodiments, the apparatus is coupled to an electrical load to power the load.

According to one embodiment, an electron emitting element includes a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region includes a semiconductor including a first element of an n-type impurity. The second region includes diamond. The diamond includes a second element including at least one selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorous, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth. The third region is provided between the first region and the second region. The third region includes Al.sub.x1Ga.sub.1-x1N (0<x1≤1) including a third element including at least one selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Te and Sn. A +c-axis direction of the third region includes a component in a direction from the first region toward the second region.

According to one embodiment, an electron emitting element includes a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region includes a semiconductor including a first element of an n-type impurity. The second region includes diamond. The diamond includes a second element including at least one selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorous, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth. The third region is provided between the first region and the second region. The third region includes Al.sub.x1Ga.sub.1-x1N (0<x1≤1) including a third element including at least one selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, Te and Sn. A +c-axis direction of the third region includes a component in a direction from the first region toward the second region.

According to one embodiment, a thermionic power generation element includes a cathode, an anode, and an insulating member. The cathode includes an electrically-conductive material. The anode includes an electrically-conductive material. The insulating member is located between the cathode and the anode. The cathode and the anode have a gap between the cathode and the anode. A first through-hole is provided in the anode. The first through-hole extends through the anode in a first direction and communicates with the gap. The first direction is from the cathode toward the anode.

According to one embodiment, a thermionic power generation element includes a cathode, an anode, and an insulating member. The cathode includes an electrically-conductive material. The anode includes an electrically-conductive material. The insulating member is located between the cathode and the anode. The cathode and the anode have a gap between the cathode and the anode. A first through-hole is provided in the anode. The first through-hole extends through the anode in a first direction and communicates with the gap. The first direction is from the cathode toward the anode.

An embodiment relates to an apparatus including first, second, and third electrodes and first and second transport media. The first electrode includes opposite first and second surfaces having first and second work function values, respectively. The second electrode includes a third surface facing the first surface and having a third work function value. The third electrode includes a fourth surface facing the second surface and having a fourth work function value. The third and fourth work function values are different than the first and second work function values. The third electrode is electrically coupled to the second electrode. The first transport medium is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode and includes first nanoparticles. The second transport medium is positioned between the first electrode and the third electrode and includes second nanoparticles.