A method is provided for producing an electrically-powered device and/or component that is embeddable in a solid structural component, and a system, a produced device and/or a produced component is provided. The produced electrically powered device includes an attached autonomous electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly structure configured to transform thermal energy at any temperature above absolute zero to an electric potential without any external stimulus including physical movement or deformation energy. The autonomous electrical power source component provides a mechanism for generating renewable energy as primary power for the electrically-powered device and/or component once an integrated structure including the device and/or component is deployed in an environment that restricts future access to the electrical power source for servicing, recharge, replacement, replenishment or the like.

A method is provided for producing an electrically-powered device and/or component that is embeddable in a solid structural component, and a system, a produced device and/or a produced component is provided. The produced electrically powered device includes an attached autonomous electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly structure configured to transform thermal energy at any temperature above absolute zero to an electric potential without any external stimulus including physical movement or deformation energy. The autonomous electrical power source component provides a mechanism for generating renewable energy as primary power for the electrically-powered device and/or component once an integrated structure including the device and/or component is deployed in an environment that restricts future access to the electrical power source for servicing, recharge, replacement, replenishment or the like.

An electrically-powered device, structure and/or component is provided that includes an attached 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 in a manner 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. The energy harvesting component includes a plurality of energy harvesting elements electrically connected to one another to increase an electrical power output.

A unique, environmentally-friendly micron scale autonomous electrical power source is provided for generating renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. The autonomous electrical power source includes a first conductor with a facing surface conditioned to have a low work function, a second conductor with a facing surface having a comparatively higher work function, and a dielectric layer of not more than 200 Angstroms in thickness sandwiched between the respective facing surfaces of the first conductor and the second conductor. The autonomous electrical power source is configured to harvest minimal thermal energy from any source in an environment above absolute zero. An autonomous electrical power source component is also provided that includes a plurality of autonomous electrical power source constituent elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the autonomous electrical power source.

A unique, environmentally-friendly micron scale autonomous electrical power source is provided for generating renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. The autonomous electrical power source includes a first conductor with a facing surface conditioned to have a low work function, a second conductor with a facing surface having a comparatively higher work function, and a dielectric layer of not more than 200 Angstroms in thickness sandwiched between the respective facing surfaces of the first conductor and the second conductor. The autonomous electrical power source is configured to harvest minimal thermal energy from any source in an environment above absolute zero. An autonomous electrical power source component is also provided that includes a plurality of autonomous electrical power source constituent elements electrically connected to one another to increase a power output of the autonomous electrical power source.

A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an anode and a cathode. An anode of a thermionic energy converter, preferably including an n-type semiconductor, one or more supplemental layers, and an electrical contact. A method for work function reduction and/or thermionic energy conversion, preferably including inputting thermal energy to a thermionic energy converter, illuminating an anode of the thermionic energy converter, thereby preferably reducing a work function of the anode, and extracting electrical power from the system.

A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an anode and a cathode. An anode of a thermionic energy converter, preferably including an n-type semiconductor, one or more supplemental layers, and an electrical contact. A method for work function reduction and/or thermionic energy conversion, preferably including inputting thermal energy to a thermionic energy converter, illuminating an anode of the thermionic energy converter, thereby preferably reducing a work function of the anode, and extracting electrical power from the system.

A method and system for using a method of pre-equilibrium ballistic charge carrier refraction comprises fabricating one or more solid-state electric generators. The solid-state electric generators include one or more of a chemically energized solid-state electric generator and a thermionic solid-state electric generator. A first material having a first charge carrier effective mass is used in a solid-state junction. A second material having a second charge carrier effective mass greater than the first charge carrier effective mass is used in the solid-state junction. A charge carrier effective mass ratio between the second effective mass and the first effective mass is greater than or equal to two.

A quantum wire device includes a barrier formed by an insulator or a wide bandgap semiconductor, and metal quantum wires comprising a metal material and embedded in the barrier. Potential wells are formed for electrons in the metal quantum wires by the insulator or the wide bandgap semiconductor. The work function of the metal quantum wires is reduced by quantum confinement compared to a bulk form of the metal material. The metal quantum wires are electrically connected. The metal quantum wires include an exposed active area for electron emission or electron collection.

Embodiments relate to systems designed for thermal transfer augmentation and thermionic energy harvesting. Thermionic energy harvesters are configured to supply electricity for applications such as electronics, communications, and other electrical devices. Thermal transfer may be used for a variety of heating/cooling and power generation/heat recovery systems, such as, refrigeration, air conditioning, electronics cooling, industrial temperature control, waste heat recovery, off-grid and mobile refrigeration, and cold storage.