The present disclosure provides a circuits for harvesting energy from an energy source. The energy source may have a first and a second potential of an input voltage. The circuits may further comprise one or more of a charging capacitor, transformers, transistors, or diodes. The circuits may be used for harvesting energy from thermoelectric generators.

An integrated circuit system, structure and/or component is provided that includes an integrated electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element or component. The energy harvesting component provides a mechanism for generating autonomous renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, in the integrated circuit system, structure and/or component. 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 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 includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.

A modular power plant system may include a plurality of thermal energy conversion elements installed in multiple cavities in the bottom of the well or along the well. The thermal energy conversion elements may convert geothermal heat directly to electricity. A surface infrastructure may consist of electricity distribution racks and pumps that drive cooling liquid in closed or open loops to cool the thermal energy conversion elements. AC or DC voltage may be communicated from each of the thermal energy conversion elements to the surface infrastructure for the distribution of electricity in a decentralized power grid.

The present invention relates to an orthopedic brace including therein a thermal treatment system useful for treating joint injuries and musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis.

A residual charge removal device includes: a power storage unit; a first switching unit that is connected to a target to which electric power is supplied from a power supply device, and operates to remove a residual charge of the target by electric power supplied from the power storage unit; and a second switching unit that operates to supply electric power from the power storage unit to the first switching unit when electric power supply to the target is stopped.

An apparatus is provided for generating an electrical current from a temperature differential in an ablutionary fitting. A heat transfer plate includes a projection directly contacting water carried in a first region of the fitting. A thermoelectric module includes one or more thermoelectric elements thermally coupled between the heat transfer plate and a housing of the ablutionary fitting in a second region of the ablutionary fitting. The thermoelectric elements generate electricity from a temperature differential between water carried in the first and second regions of the ablutionary fitting.

Various articles and devices can be manufactured to take advantage of a what is believed to be a novel thermodynamic cycle in which spontaneity is due to an intrinsic entropy equilibration. The novel thermodynamic cycle exploits the quantum phase transition between quantum thermalization and quantum localization. Preferred devices include a phonovoltaic cell, a rectifier and a conductor for use in an integrated circuit.

IC apparatus, and manufacturing methods therefor, that include a power transistor and a thermoelectric device. The power transistor is constructed in a plurality of layers formed over a semiconductor substrate. The thermoelectric device is formed in one or more of the plurality of layers and is sensitive to temperature differences within the IC apparatus resulting from operation of the power transistor.

An integrated circuit system, structure and/or component is provided that includes an integrated electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element or component. The energy harvesting component provides a mechanism for generating autonomous renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, in the integrated circuit system, structure and/or component. 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 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 includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.

An integrated circuit system, structure and/or component is provided that includes an integrated electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly energy harvesting element or component. The energy harvesting component provides a mechanism for generating autonomous renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, in the integrated circuit system, structure and/or component. 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 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 includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the electric harvesting component.