An object of the present invention is to provide a stable thermoelectric battery. The object can be solved by a thermoelectric battery comprising a working electrode containing a n-type silicon and germanium, a counter electrode, and a solid electrolyte having a polymer having a specific repeating unit with a molecular weight of 200 to 1,000,000, or a derivative thereof, wherein the solid electrolyte contains copper ions or iron ions as an ion source.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stable thermoelectric battery. The object can be solved by a thermoelectric battery comprising a working electrode containing a n-type silicon and germanium, a counter electrode, and a solid electrolyte having a polymer having a specific repeating unit with a molecular weight of 200 to 1,000,000, or a derivative thereof, wherein the solid electrolyte contains copper ions or iron ions as an ion source.

Examples disclosed herein provide for a method and apparatus for recovering heat energy that is removed from the system during condensation in the form of electricity. A condenser unit utilizes thermoelectric generator (TEG) modules coupled to the exterior of the condenser body to generate electricity from the temperature difference of the vapor inside the unit and the fluid outside the unit. Internal baffles on the interior of the condenser body and external heat fins on the TEG modules increase the heat transfer rate. The condenser unit is modular, and thus may be installed in preexisting systems and may be fabricated in varying sizes depending on the needs of the system. The electricity generated from the condenser unit may be directed to a charge controller, and then may be converted from DC power to AC power, or stored in a battery.

Examples disclosed herein provide for a method and apparatus for recovering heat energy that is removed from the system during condensation in the form of electricity. A condenser unit utilizes thermoelectric generator (TEG) modules coupled to the exterior of the condenser body to generate electricity from the temperature difference of the vapor inside the unit and the fluid outside the unit. Internal baffles on the interior of the condenser body and external heat fins on the TEG modules increase the heat transfer rate. The condenser unit is modular, and thus may be installed in preexisting systems and may be fabricated in varying sizes depending on the needs of the system. The electricity generated from the condenser unit may be directed to a charge controller, and then may be converted from DC power to AC power, or stored in a battery.

A device for converting kinetic energy of a fluid to electrical energy is disclosed. The device comprises a flow chamber having an inlet port for a fluid and an exhaust port for the fluid. A pair of charge collecting electrodes is spaced apart from each other along a collection direction and disposed within the flow chamber. An electric field generator is configured to generate an electric field in the flow chamber along a field direction to separate charged species in the fluid. A flow path of the fluid between the inlet port and the exhaust port may have a flow direction with a component along the first direction and a component along the second direction. Also disclosed is a system comprising the device and a related method. The disclosure may find application, for example, in providing a source of energy for an electric vehicle.

A device for converting kinetic energy of a fluid to electrical energy is disclosed. The device comprises a flow chamber having an inlet port for a fluid and an exhaust port for the fluid. A pair of charge collecting electrodes is spaced apart from each other along a collection direction and disposed within the flow chamber. An electric field generator is configured to generate an electric field in the flow chamber along a field direction to separate charged species in the fluid. A flow path of the fluid between the inlet port and the exhaust port may have a flow direction with a component along the first direction and a component along the second direction. Also disclosed is a system comprising the device and a related method. The disclosure may find application, for example, in providing a source of energy for an electric vehicle.

A body force per unit mass acting on mobile charge carriers within a first electrically conducting material is configured to induce at least one region of accumulation of charge within at least a portion of the first material. The magnitude of the associated change in the voltage between two given points within the first material is a function of the relevant electrical properties of the material. A second electrically conducting material can be electrically coupled to the first material via a first electrical contact. The relevant electrical properties of the second material can be configured to be different to the relevant electrical properties of the first material. The voltage difference between the two points in the first material can be different to the voltage difference between two equivalent points in the second material. The difference in the voltage difference can be employed to increase the voltage of mobile charge carriers within a portion of an open or closed electrical circuit relative to another portion of said circuit. A voltage conversion apparatus and method can be used to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, for example.

A circuit for generating electrical energy is disclosed. The circuit uses a pulse generator in combination with a tube having a cavity therein. The tube can have material therein, such as solid material or fluid passing therethrough. A thyristor or other negative resistance is in series with the tube to increase a change of voltage with respect to time. A resultant energy applied to a load is larger than the energy supplied by the pulse generator due to the absorption of external energy by the tube.

A circuit for generating electrical energy is disclosed. The circuit uses a pulse generator in combination with a tube having a cavity therein. The tube can have material therein, such as solid material or fluid passing therethrough. A thyristor or other negative resistance is in series with the tube to increase a change of voltage with respect to time. A resultant energy applied to a load is larger than the energy supplied by the pulse generator due to the absorption of external energy by the tube.

An electric power source in which an electron collector and an electron emitter, having a higher work function than the electron collector, are connected peripherally by a wire and placed very close together. An electric potential difference develops between the electron collector and the electron emitter as electrons spontaneously flow through the wire from the electron collector to the electron emitter due to the difference in work functions. With the electron collector and electron emitter positioned extremely close together, the small electric potential difference creates a strong electric field. The strong electric field allows field emission of electrons from the electron emitter. The emitted electrons then cross the small gap to the electron collector, completing the electric circuit, allowing a continuous electric current to flow, making this device an electric power source.