Methods, systems, and apparatuses related to thermo-dielectric-elastomer-cells may be shown and described. In one embodiment a thermo dielectric elastomer cell (TDEC) can include a layer of carbon nanotubes that absorb sunlight; a layer of photo switchable molecules; a plurality of dielectric elastomer layers, each of the plurality of dielectric elastomer layer comprising a layer of dielectric elastomer material and a layer of N-P junction transistors between the layers of dielectric elastomer material; a layer of insulators separating each of the plurality of dielectric elastomer layers; and an elastic cushioning which is placed between the plurality of dielectric elastomer layers and surrounding the dielectric elastomer material.

A subterranean geothermal power generation system is disclosed herein, comprising a closed cavity, a temperature differential mechanical power generation device, an electric power generation device and a heat conduction module. The mechanical power generation device with a heat source end and a cold source end and the electric power generation device are integrated into the cavity. The heat source end is exposed from the cavity for contacting with a heat source in the well; the cold source end and the electric power generation device are located in the cavity. A heat conduction fluid is filled into the cavity, the heat conduction module extends from the cavity to the outside of the well. Accordingly, a temperature difference between the cold source end and the heat source end is created to enable the mechanical power generation device to mechanically drive the electric power generation device to generate electricity.

An environmental energy harvesting device comprises: an energy converting element that converts environmental energy into electric energy; an environmental sensor that is disposed in an identical environment as the energy converting element; and a power supply circuit that receives electricity converted into by the energy converting element and outputs the electricity to an outside. The power supply circuit changes an operation condition in accordance with an output of the environmental sensor.

A thermoelectric generator includes a heat-receiving plate having a heat-receiving surface for receiving flame and high-temperature combustion gas, a thermoelectric generation module disposed at a surface of the heat-receiving plate opposite the heat-receiving surface, a cooling plate disposed at a side of the thermoelectric generation module opposite the heat-receiving plate, a cover disposed to cover the heat-receiving surface and including a heat inlet for introducing the flame and the high-temperature combustion gas and a heat outlet for discharging the temperature-reduced combustion gas introduced through the heat inlet, a heat diffuser provided on the heat-receiving surface at a position corresponding to the heat inlet and configured to diffuse the combustion gas introduced through the heat inlet along the heat-receiving surface, and a heat absorber provided on the heat-receiving surface to surround the heat diffuser and configured to absorb the heat of the high-temperature combustion gas diffused by the heat diffuser.

This description provides a system for recovering energy released by a computing unit. The system comprises a first computing unit that generates heat energy as the first computing processes information, an energy recovery unit configured to recover the heat energy generated by the first computing unit, and a second computing unit coupled to the energy the energy recovery unit. The energy recovery unit further comprise a pump configured to transport a working fluid to absorb the heat energy generated by the first computing device and a conversion device configured to convert the absorbed heat energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy is passed to the second computing unit to supply power for the second computing unit to process information.

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 resonators can include non-linear heat transfer elements, such as thermal diodes, to enhance their performance. Incorporation of thermal diodes can allow for a dynamic rectification of temperature fluctuations into a single polarity temperature difference across a heat engine for power extraction, as compared to the dual polarity nature of the output voltage of linear thermal resonators, which typically necessitates electrical rectification to be routed to an entity for energy storage. In some embodiments, the thermal diode can be applied to transient energy harvesting to construct thermal diode bridges. Methods for constructing such devices, and using such devices, are also provided.

A thermoelectric power generation system includes a first flow path, along which a first fluid flows, a second flow path, along which a second fluid having a lower temperature than the first fluid flows, a thermoelectric module arranged between the first flow path and the second flow path, and a controller that switches between a power generation mode and a heating mode. In the power generation mode, the thermoelectric module is caused to generate electric power, based on a difference between a temperature of the first fluid and a temperature of the second fluid. In the heating mode, a first surface of the thermoelectric module is heated using the Peltier effect caused by supplying electric power to the thermoelectric module. A distance between the first surface and the first flow path is shorter than a distance between the first surface and the second flow path.

An artificial muscle includes an electrode pair including a first electrode and a second electrode. One or both of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a central opening. The first electrode and the second electrode each include two or more fan portions and two or more bridge portions. Each fan portion includes a first end having an inner length, a second end having an outer length, a first side edge extending from the second end, and a second side edge extending from the second end. The outer length is greater than the inner length. Each bridge portion interconnecting adjacent fan portions at the first end.

A thermoelectric material element includes: a thermoelectric material portion composed of a thermoelectric material that includes a first crystal phase and a second crystal phase during an operation, the second crystal phase being different from the first crystal phase; a first electrode disposed in contact with the thermoelectric material portion; and a second electrode disposed in contact with the thermoelectric material portion and disposed to be separated from the first electrode. During the operation, the thermoelectric material portion includes a first temperature region having a first temperature, and a second temperature region having a second temperature lower than the first temperature of the first temperature region. A ratio of the first crystal phase to the second crystal phase in the first temperature region is larger than a ratio of the first crystal phase to the second crystal phase in the second temperature region.

A thermoelectric conversion unit includes a pair of low-temperature fluid flow path sections arranged to face each other, a high-temperature fluid flow path section arranged between the pair of low-temperature fluid flow path sections, a pair of thermoelectric modules each arranged between the high-temperature fluid flow path section and one of the pair of low-temperature fluid flow path sections in a one-to-one relation, and a rod-shaped convex fin and concave fin both arranged in the high-temperature fluid flow path section. The concave fin includes a recess fitted to the convex fin. An outer peripheral surface of the convex fin and an inner peripheral surface of the recess of the concave fin are in contact with each other, and a gap is formed between a tip of the convex fin and a bottom of the recess of the concave fin.