An energy conversion device for conversion of various energy forms into electricity. The energy forms may be chemical, photovoltaic or thermal gradients. The energy conversion device has a first and second electrode. A substrate is present that has a porous semiconductor or dielectric layer placed thereover. The substrate itself can be planar, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional, and possess internal and external surfaces. These substrates may be rigid, flexible and/or foldable. The porous semiconductor or dielectric layer can be a nano-engineered structure. A porous conductor material is placed on at least a portion of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer such that at least some of the porous conductor material enters the nano-engineered structure of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer, thereby forming an intertwining region.

An energy conversion device for conversion of various energy forms into electricity. The energy forms may be chemical, photovoltaic or thermal gradients. The energy conversion device has a first and second electrode. A substrate is present that has a porous semiconductor or dielectric layer placed thereover. The substrate itself can be planar, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional, and possess internal and external surfaces. These substrates may be rigid, flexible and/or foldable. The porous semiconductor or dielectric layer can be a nano-engineered structure. A porous conductor material is placed on at least a portion of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer such that at least some of the porous conductor material enters the nano-engineered structure of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer, thereby forming an intertwining region.

A thermo-electrochemical converter is provided. The converter includes a working fluid, coupled first and second membrane electrode assemblies (MEA), first and second heat transfer members, a heat sink and a heat source. Each MEA includes a first porous electrode operating at a first pressure, a second porous electrode operating at a second pressure which is higher than the first pressure, and an ion conductive membrane sandwiched therebetween. The first MEA compresses the working fluid and the second MEA expands the working fluid. The first heat transfer member is coupled to and thermally interfaces with a low-pressure electrode of the first MEA. The second heat transfer member is coupled to and thermally interfaces with a lowpressure electrode of the second MEA. The heat sink is coupled to the low-pressure side of the first MEA and the heat source is coupled to the low-pressure side of the second MEA.

A thermoelectric generation device includes a first thermoelectric generation module, a second thermoelectric generation module, and an electroconductive member electrically connecting the first and second thermoelectric generation modules. The first thermoelectric generation module is spaced from the second thermoelectric generation module. The first and second thermoelectric generation modules each have at least one heat utilization power generation element that includes a stack of an electrolyte layer and a thermoelectric conversion layer and a housing that accommodates the heat utilization power generation element.

An energy conversion device for conversion of various energy forms into electricity. The energy forms may be chemical, photovoltaic or thermal gradients. The energy conversion device has a first and second electrode. A substrate is present that has a porous semiconductor or dielectric layer placed thereover. The substrate itself can be planar, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional, and possess internal and external surfaces. These substrates may be rigid, flexible and/or foldable. The porous semiconductor or dielectric layer can be a nano-engineered structure. A porous conductor material is placed on at least a portion of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer such that at least some of the porous conductor material enters the nano-engineered structure of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer, thereby forming an intertwining region.

An energy conversion device for conversion of various energy forms into electricity. The energy forms may be chemical, photovoltaic or thermal gradients. The energy conversion device has a first and second electrode. A substrate is present that has a porous semiconductor or dielectric layer placed thereover. The substrate itself can be planar, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional, and possess internal and external surfaces. These substrates may be rigid, flexible and/or foldable. The porous semiconductor or dielectric layer can be a nano-engineered structure. A porous conductor material is placed on at least a portion of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer such that at least some of the porous conductor material enters the nano-engineered structure of the porous semiconductor or dielectric layer, thereby forming an intertwining region.

Solar electroosmosis power generation devices and methods thereof are disclosed. In some embodiments, a first electrode in transparent inorganic electrolyte solution is provided in a first temperature chamber including a first light-transmitting wall. A second electrode in transparent inorganic electrolyte solution is provided in a second temperature chamber including a second light-tight wall. The first and second temperature chambers are connected by a cation nano-film with nanoparticles on its surface close to the first temperature chamber. An external circuit connects the first and second electrodes. When the nano-film is irradiated through the first wall by sunlight, the temperature of the first temperature chamber is higher than that of the second temperature chamber. In some embodiments, the solar electroosmosis power generation device improves solar energy utilization efficiency, and can be used in the field of solar light-heat-electric conversion.

A secondary battery protection circuit for controlling charge and discharge using a switching circuit to protect a secondary battery from temperature is provided. The switching circuit is configured to be provided in a charge-and-discharge path between the secondary battery and an external device. The secondary battery protection circuit includes a detection terminal configured to be electrically connected, via a resistor, to between the switching circuit and the external device. The secondary battery protection circuit includes a first terminal configured to be electrically connected to a temperature detection terminal of the external device. The secondary battery protection circuit includes a second terminal to which a temperature sensitive element is configured to be electrically connected, the temperature sensitive element having a characteristic value varying in accordance with a change in temperature of the secondary battery.

An air-water concentration cell is provided as follows. A cathode electrode is formed of a first material for catalyzing an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). An anode electrode is formed of a second material for catalyzing an oxygen evolution reaction (OER). A proton conductive membrane is interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. A fuel reservoir is interposed between the proton conductive membrane and the anode electrode. The fuel reservoir contains water. The water of the fuel reservoir is in contact with the anode electrode and the proton conductive membrane.

An air-water concentration cell is provided as follows. A cathode electrode is formed of a first material for catalyzing an oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). An anode electrode is formed of a second material for catalyzing an oxygen evolution reaction (OER). A proton conductive membrane is interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. A fuel reservoir is interposed between the proton conductive membrane and the anode electrode. The fuel reservoir contains water. The water of the fuel reservoir is in contact with the anode electrode and the proton conductive membrane.