A small-gap device system, preferably including two or more electrodes and one or more spacers maintaining a gap between two or more of the electrodes. A spacer for a small-gap device system, preferably including a plurality of legs defining a mesh structure. A method of spacer and/or small-gap device fabrication, preferably including: defining lateral features, depositing spacer material, selectively removing spacer material, separating the spacer from a fabrication substrate, and/or assembling the small-gap device.

A small-gap device system, preferably including two or more electrodes and one or more spacers maintaining a gap between two or more of the electrodes. A spacer for a small-gap device system, preferably including a plurality of legs defining a mesh structure. A method of spacer and/or small-gap device fabrication, preferably including: defining lateral features, depositing spacer material, selectively removing spacer material, separating the spacer from a fabrication substrate, and/or assembling the small-gap device.

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.

Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.

Energy conversion systems that may employ control grid electrodes, acceleration grid electrodes, inductive elements, multi-stage anodes, and emissive carbon coatings on the cathode and anode are described. These and other characteristics may allow for advantageous thermal energy to electrical energy conversion.

A method for forming a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element is provided. A configuration of the energy harvesting element causes the energy harvesting element to autonomously generate renewable energy for use in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. 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 in a manner 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 is also provided that includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.

A method for forming a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element is provided. A configuration of the energy harvesting element causes the energy harvesting element to autonomously generate renewable energy for use in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. 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 in a manner 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 is also provided that includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.

Embodiments relate to an apparatus including a transport medium, a first surface, and a second surface. The transport medium includes a nanoparticle suspended in a dielectric, and has a first side and a second side. The first side opposes the second side. The nanoparticle includes a conductive metal at least partially covered by a monolayer film that is less conductive than the conductive metal. The first surface is disposed at the first side of the transport medium and has a first work function. The second surface is disposed at the second side of the transport medium and has a second work function. The first work function is lower than the second work function. In embodiments, the apparatus is configured to power a load coupled to the apparatus.

A lighting device includes a light-emitting device, a heat sink having a hollow unit inside, a translucent cover, and a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element includes a casing unit having a housing unit, and includes a first electrode unit, a second electrode unit having a work function different from that of the first electrode unit, and a middle unit including nanoparticles having a work function between the work function of the first electrode unit and the work function of the second electrode unit, which are provided inside the housing unit. The casing unit is provided on the inner surface of the hollow unit of the heat sink.

A method for forming a unique, environmentally-friendly micron scale autonomous electrical power source is provided in a configuration that generates renewable energy for use in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. The configuration includes a first conductor with a facing surface conditioned to have a low work function, a second conductor with a facing surface having a comparatively higher work function, and a dielectric layer, not more than 200 nm thick, sandwiched between the respective facing surfaces of the first conductor and the second conductor. The autonomous electrical power source formed according to the disclosed method is configured to harvest minimal thermal energy from any source in an environment above absolute zero. An autonomous electrical power source component is also provided that includes a plurality of autonomous electrical power source constituent elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the autonomous electrical power source.