A machine for converting thermal energy originating from waste heat deposits into electrical energy. It uses the magnetic phase transition properties of certain materials when they are exposed to a temperature variation with respect to their Curie temperature. The machine includes a magnetothermal converter provided with a fixed stator provided with active elements made of the materials, and a mobile rotor provided with magnetic poles and non-magnetic poles. The machine includes a closed fluidic circuit of heat-transfer fluid, coupled with two thermal sources of different temperatures by means of heat exchangers and with the stator to transfer thermal energy collected in the active elements. A synchronization system makes it possible to expose the active elements to alternating thermal cycles to generate a permanent magnetic imbalance between the rotor and the stator, and generate a displacement of the rotor, creating mechanical energy that can be converted into electrical energy.

Various implementations of the invention correspond to an improved vortex flux generator. In some implementations of the invention, the improved vortex flux generator includes a magnetic circuit configured to produce a magnetic field; a quench controller configured to provide a variable current; a vortex material configured to form and subsequently dissipate a vortex in response to the variable current, wherein upon formation of the vortex, a magnetic field density surrounding the vortex is urged to decrease, and wherein upon subsequent dissipation of the vortex, the urging to decrease ceases and the magnetic field density increases prior to a reformation of the vortex, and wherein the decrease of the magnetic field density and the increase of the magnetic field density correspond to a modulation of the magnetic field; an inductor disposed in a vicinity of the vortex such that the modulation of the magnetic field induces an electrical current in the inductor; and a dissipation superconductor electrically disposed in parallel with the vortex material and configured to carry, without quenching, an entirety of the variable current during dissipation of the vortex in the vortex material.

A method for achieving a desired vibration resonance frequency of electromagnetic energy harvesters that includes the step of providing a harvester that includes a coil wound along a core, a magnet, a suspending device that includes a base connected to the body and a hinge connected to the magnet, and a stationary magnet attached to the body or the base when the positive poles of the magnets faces each other and the repulsive magnetic force between them restore the magnet. The gravity center of the hinge and the magnet is shifted off the rotation axis of the hinge so that body vibrations cause a relative alternating movement between the core and the magnet that creates alternating voltage between in the coil, and the step of determining the specific distance between the magnets based on the magnetic flux strength of the stationary magnet for achieving the desired frequency.

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.

Described herein are devices in which quantum noise is reduced, such as by incorporating the devices as part of or adjacent to a Casimir cavity. The devices with reduced quantum noise can be paired with a free-space electric device to allow for a difference in noise power between the two to be captured.

Described herein are systems incorporating a Casimir cavity, such as an optical Casimir cavity or a plasmon Casimir cavity. The Casimir cavity modifies the zero-point energy density therein as compared to outside of the Casimir cavity. The Casimir cavities are paired in the disclosed systems with product generating devices and the difference in zero-point energy densities is used to directly drive the generation of products, such as chemical reaction products or emitted light.

Method for harvesting energy using an EAP based deformable body. The EAP based deformable body is an elastically deformable body including an arrangement of stretchable synthetic material and electrodes being arranged as a variable capacitor with a capacitance that varies as the deformable body stretches and relaxes. The method includes: looping through an energy harvesting cycle with a) stretching the deformable body from a minimal relaxed size L1 to a maximal stretched size L2; b) at the maximal stretched size electrically charging of the variable capacitor to create an electric field over the capacitor with an upper electric field level value; and subsequently c) a relaxation step from maximal stretched size to the minimal relaxed size; d) at the minimal relaxed size of the deformable body, electrically discharging the capacitor to a minimal charge level and a minimal electric field level value.

A roadway renewable energy generation system and method, that includes a plurality of plunger devices, electrically connected in series, and each plunger device configured to generate a predetermined amount of electricity, through reciprocating linear motion, when actuated by an object; a plurality of grooves formed within a ground surface configured to house the plurality of plunger devices therein, wherein a top portion of each plunger device extends a predetermined distance above the ground surface; a transformer configured to transform the electricity generated by the plurality of plunger devices; and a storage device configured to store the electricity from the transformer. The system is embedded into roadways and parking garages/ramp entrances, for example, to enable electricity generated when each plunger device is depressed as the vehicle tires pass over the roadways to be stored and reused for electric vehicles and power/utility grids.

Energy harvesting devices and methods for converting the mechanical energy of a flowing ionic solution, such as rainwater or seawater, into electric energy are provided. The energy harvesting devices include an electric current generating device that includes a metal layer and an amphoteric metal oxide film disposed over a surface of the metal layer. By moving an electric double layer across the surface of the amphoteric metal oxide film, an electric current is generated in the metal layer.

A heat dissipation device applied to a heat source includes a heat conduction unit and a power generation unit. A fluid chamber and a rotor chamber are configured inside the heat conduction unit. The fluid chamber and the rotor chamber are communicated with each other. A working fluid is configured in the fluid chamber. The power generation unit has a rotor and a power generation module. The rotor is connected to the power generation module and is configured in the rotor chamber. The rotor is driven by the working fluid so as to enable the power generation unit to output electrical energy. An electronic system with the heat dissipation device is also disclosed.