An actuator device comprises a stack formed from a plurality of photoresponsive layers, which deform in response to light, which are partitioned by respective deformable non-photoresponsive layers. The deformable non-photoresponsive layers guide light between and to the photoresponsive layers, and can follow the deformation of the photoresponsive layers.

An exhaust-gas electricity generation unit is provided between an engine unit and a discharge unit. The exhaust-gas electricity generation unit includes a connecting pipe connecting the engine unit to the discharge unit and defining an exhaust-gas flow passage in which exhaust gas expelled from the engine unit flows, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules provided on an inner surface of the connecting pipe, along flow of heat, near the engine unit and near the discharge unit, and a flow-velocity increasing mechanism for causing the exhaust gas in the connecting pipe to have an increased flow velocity near the discharge unit than near the engine unit.

An exhaust-gas electricity generation unit is provided between an engine unit and a discharge unit. The exhaust-gas electricity generation unit includes a connecting pipe connecting the engine unit to the discharge unit and defining an exhaust-gas flow passage in which exhaust gas expelled from the engine unit flows, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules provided on an inner surface of the connecting pipe, along flow of heat, near the engine unit and near the discharge unit, and a flow-velocity increasing mechanism for causing the exhaust gas in the connecting pipe to have an increased flow velocity near the discharge unit than near the engine unit.

The invention describes a metal container that comprises a cathode containing an insulated anode with gases at pressures less than a fraction (0.1-0.9) of a mmHg. Metallic normal glow discharge diode and triode devices with large cold cathode area as efficient charge generator to function as a power cell. A metallic glow discharge device comprising a cylindrical cathode and a coaxial insulated anode containing gas at very low pressure utilizing radial electric field. A metallic normal glow discharge diode device containing a planar geometry, with an insulated metallic plate parallel to the broad side of the container forms the anode, while the container acts as the cathode.

The present disclosure is directed to materials, devices, and methods for resonant ambient thermal energy harvesting. Thermal energy can be harvested using thermoelectric resonators that capture and store ambient thermal fluctuations and convert the fluctuations to energy. The thermal resonators can include heat engines disposed between masses of varying sizes or diodes. The masses or diodes can be made of high and ultra-high effusivity materials to transfer thermal energy through the resonator and optimize power output. The masses or diodes of the resonator can be tuned to the dominant frequency of the temperature waveform to maximize the amount of energy being converted. The resonators can be added to existing structures to supply or generate power, and, in some embodiments, the structures themselves can be a mass of the thermal resonator. Methods for constructing and/or using such devices are also provided, as are methods for formulating ultra-high effusivity materials.

A method is provided for manufacturing a dielectric elastomer transducer including a dielectric elastomer layer and electrode layers sandwiching the elastomer layer. The elastomer layer when stretched exhibits a stress-strain curve having: a low strain and high elasticity region; a low elasticity region; and a high strain region. The method includes: a pre-stretching process to reduce hysteresis in elastic behavior of the elastomer layer by stretching the elastomer layer one or more times under a load as heavy as a first load before the electrodes are provided, each stretching causing the elastomer layer to undergo a tension falling in the low elasticity region; and a dielectric elastomer layer fixing process including applying a second load smaller than the first load to the elastomer layer so as to fix the elastomer layer to a support member under a second tension smaller than the first tension.

A method is provided for manufacturing a dielectric elastomer transducer including a dielectric elastomer layer and electrode layers sandwiching the elastomer layer. The elastomer layer when stretched exhibits a stress-strain curve having: a low strain and high elasticity region; a low elasticity region; and a high strain region. The method includes: a pre-stretching process to reduce hysteresis in elastic behavior of the elastomer layer by stretching the elastomer layer one or more times under a load as heavy as a first load before the electrodes are provided, each stretching causing the elastomer layer to undergo a tension falling in the low elasticity region; and a dielectric elastomer layer fixing process including applying a second load smaller than the first load to the elastomer layer so as to fix the elastomer layer to a support member under a second tension smaller than the first tension.

A photovoltaic renewable energy system utilizes a light source and one or more reflectors to produce power via photovoltaic cells. An exemplary photovoltaic renewable energy system utilizes a light source, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LED), to provide light to photovoltaic cells that therein produce electrical power. The photovoltaic cells may be arranged in a photovoltaic array to ensure maximum power conversion from the incident light. A reflector, such as a prism may be used to direct light from the light source onto the photovoltaic cells. A cell reflector, which may also be a prism, may be configured proximal to the photovoltaic cell surfaces to reflect light onto the photovoltaic surface to increase power conversion.

A thermoelectric conversion material has a composition represented by the chemical formula Li.sub.3-aBi.sub.1-bSn.sub.b, in which the range of values a and b is: 0≤a<0.0003, and −a+0.0003≤b≤0.016; or 0.0003≤a≤0.085, and 0<b≤exp[−0.079×(ln(a)).sup.2−1.43×ln(a)−10.5], and in which the thermoelectric conversion material has a BiF.sub.3-type crystal structure and has a p-type polarity.

A vibration structure that includes a member having a vibrator that vibrates along a plane direction; a housing that holds the member; and a cushioning material connecting the housing to the member, in which a thickness of the cushioning material in a direction orthogonal to a plane direction of the housing is greater than a length of a gap between the member and the housing.