A small-gap device system, preferably including two or more electrodes and one or more spacers maintaining a gap between two or more of the electrodes. A spacer for a small-gap device system, preferably including a plurality of legs defining a mesh structure. A method of spacer and/or small-gap device fabrication, preferably including: defining lateral features, depositing spacer material, selectively removing spacer material, separating the spacer from a fabrication substrate, and/or assembling the small-gap device.

An energy harvesting tape comprising a plurality of flexible layers. The plurality of flexible layers includes a solar cell layer configured to capture solar energy, a thermoelectric layer configured to capture thermal energy, one or more piezoelectric layers configured to capture mechanical energy; and an electrode layer configured to capture radiofrequency energy and to transmit a radiofrequency signal. The energy harvesting tape also includes one or more processing units on at least one of the plurality of flexible layers. The one or more processing units are configured to use the captured energy from the plurality of flexible layers to transmit the radiofrequency signal. The energy harvesting tape has a length, a width, and a thickness, where the length is greater than the width, and the width is greater than the thickness.

A flexible thermoelectric structure is provided, which includes a porous thermoelectric pattern having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a polymer film covering the first surface of the porous thermoelectric pattern. The polymer film fills pores of the porous thermoelectric pattern. The polymer film has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface of the polymer film is coplanar with the second surface of the porous thermoelectric pattern.

The present disclosure related to devices for generating electrical energy, methods for generating electrical energy, and methods for producing devices for generating electrical energy. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure provides an electrical energy generating device, the device comprising at least one electrical cell comprising an asymmetric pair of metal-semiconductor junctions to produce an electric potential difference to capture thermally excited charge carriers within the semiconductor.

A device includes at least one volume that comprises a liquid quantity of a liquid and a partial volume with a working medium. The device further includes multiple volume limiting elements which limit the at least one volume and which are configured such that one or more passages allow outflow of a maximum of a predetermined partial quantity of the liquid quantity during one or more of a compression period, an expansion period, or a displacement period. The liquid quantity performs a rotation about an axis of rotation. The multiple volume limiting elements are configured to prevent an annular flow of the liquid quantity about the axis of rotation. The at least one volume is changeable in terms of its overall size by displacement of at least one of the volume limiting elements.

A device includes at least one volume that comprises a liquid quantity of a liquid and a partial volume with a working medium. The device further includes multiple volume limiting elements which limit the at least one volume and which are configured such that one or more passages allow outflow of a maximum of a predetermined partial quantity of the liquid quantity during one or more of a compression period, an expansion period, or a displacement period. The liquid quantity performs a rotation about an axis of rotation. The multiple volume limiting elements are configured to prevent an annular flow of the liquid quantity about the axis of rotation. The at least one volume is changeable in terms of its overall size by displacement of at least one of the volume limiting elements.

A command-and-control module for communications, ideally in military operating conditions, is adapted for easy insertion into, and removal from, a portable case. A chassis has front and rear vertical plates secured, e.g. welded, to a horizontal plate. At least one DIN rail, for securing electrical and electronic equipment, is mounted to a vertical plate. The case has electrical ports and outlets as well as multiple features to protect the sensitive electronic equipment inside. Shock absorbers between the horizontal plate and the inner surface of the case protect the equipment from mechanical shock. A thermoelectric cooler keeps the equipment from overheating. An inner cover protects the equipment from dust. The inner cover is bolted to the chassis. The chassis is not otherwise affixed to the case. When the bolts are removed, the chassis is easily lifted out by handles.

A command-and-control module for communications, ideally in military operating conditions, is adapted for easy insertion into, and removal from, a portable case. A chassis has front and rear vertical plates secured, e.g. welded, to a horizontal plate. At least one DIN rail, for securing electrical and electronic equipment, is mounted to a vertical plate. The case has electrical ports and outlets as well as multiple features to protect the sensitive electronic equipment inside. Shock absorbers between the horizontal plate and the inner surface of the case protect the equipment from mechanical shock. A thermoelectric cooler keeps the equipment from overheating. An inner cover protects the equipment from dust. The inner cover is bolted to the chassis. The chassis is not otherwise affixed to the case. When the bolts are removed, the chassis is easily lifted out by handles.

Differential thermoelectric devices are provided for monitoring a change of areal thermal energy dissipation rate and surface temperature profile. The devices include a through electrode connecting to different sets of thermoelectric elements at different regions of the device. A sensing circuitry is electrically connected to the thermoelectric elements to measure a voltage output.

An optical module includes: a thermoelectric cooler with an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface fixed to the first surface of the conductive block, the thermoelectric cooler having a Peltier device therein configured to transfer heat between the upper surface and the lower surface; a metal layer laminated on the upper surface of the thermoelectric cooler; a ground wire connecting the first surface of the conductive block and the metal layer; a photoelectric device adapted to convert an optical signal and an electrical signal at least from one to another; a mounting substrate on which the photoelectric device is mounted, the mounting substrate fixed to the upper surface of the thermoelectric cooler with at least the metal layer interposed therebetween, the mounting substrate having a first wiring pattern electrically connected to the photoelectric device.