A thermoelectric conversion element includes: a thermoelectric member that is columnar; an insulator formed around the thermoelectric member; and a metal layer formed continuously on an edge surface of the thermoelectric member and an edge surface of the insulator. An edge portion of the thermoelectric member and an edge portion of the insulator define a gap covered with the metal layer. The inner portion of the gap covered with the metal layer is a void.

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 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.

Devices for generating electrical energy along with methods of fabrication and methods of use are disclosed. An example device can comprise one or more layers of a transition metal dichalcogenide material. An example device can comprise a mechano-electric generator. Another example device can comprise a thermoelectric generator.

Devices for generating electrical energy along with methods of fabrication and methods of use are disclosed. An example device can comprise one or more layers of a transition metal dichalcogenide material. An example device can comprise a mechano-electric generator. Another example device can comprise a thermoelectric generator.

An integrated circuit (IC) package comprising an IC die, the IC die having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The IC die comprises a semiconductor material. The first surface comprises an active layer. A thermoelectric cooler (TEC) comprising a thermoelectric material is embedded within the IC die between the first surface and the second surface and adjacent to the active layer. The TEC has an annular shape that is substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces of the IC die. The thermoelectric material is confined between an outer sidewall along an outer perimeter of the TEC and an inner sidewall along an inner perimeter of the TEC. The outer and inner sidewalls are substantially orthogonal to the first and second surfaces of the IC die.

An integrated circuit (IC) package comprising an IC die, the IC die having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The IC die comprises a semiconductor material. The first surface comprises an active layer. A thermoelectric cooler (TEC) comprising a thermoelectric material is embedded within the IC die between the first surface and the second surface and adjacent to the active layer. The TEC has an annular shape that is substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces of the IC die. The thermoelectric material is confined between an outer sidewall along an outer perimeter of the TEC and an inner sidewall along an inner perimeter of the TEC. The outer and inner sidewalls are substantially orthogonal to the first and second surfaces of the IC die.

A method of fabricating a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a layer of a Silicon-based material having a first surface and a second surface, opposite to and separated from the first surface by a Silicon-based material layer thickness; forming a plurality of first thermoelectrically active elements of a first thermoelectric semiconductor material having a first Seebeck coefficient, and forming a plurality of second thermoelectrically active elements of a second thermoelectric semiconductor material having a second Seebeck coefficient, wherein the first and second thermoelectrically active elements are formed to extend through the Silicon-based material layer thickness, from the first surface to the second surface; forming electrically conductive interconnections in correspondence of the first surface and of the second surface of the layer of Silicon-based material, for electrically interconnecting the plurality of first thermoelectrically active elements and the plurality of second thermoelectrically active elements, and forming an input electrical terminal and an output electrical terminal electrically connected to the electrically conductive interconnections, wherein the first thermoelectric semiconductor material and the second thermoelectric semiconductor material comprise Silicon-based materials selected among porous Silicon or polycrystalline SiGe or polycrystalline Silicon.

A method of fabricating a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a layer of a Silicon-based material having a first surface and a second surface, opposite to and separated from the first surface by a Silicon-based material layer thickness; forming a plurality of first thermoelectrically active elements of a first thermoelectric semiconductor material having a first Seebeck coefficient, and forming a plurality of second thermoelectrically active elements of a second thermoelectric semiconductor material having a second Seebeck coefficient, wherein the first and second thermoelectrically active elements are formed to extend through the Silicon-based material layer thickness, from the first surface to the second surface; forming electrically conductive interconnections in correspondence of the first surface and of the second surface of the layer of Silicon-based material, for electrically interconnecting the plurality of first thermoelectrically active elements and the plurality of second thermoelectrically active elements, and forming an input electrical terminal and an output electrical terminal electrically connected to the electrically conductive interconnections, wherein the first thermoelectric semiconductor material and the second thermoelectric semiconductor material comprise Silicon-based materials selected among porous Silicon or polycrystalline SiGe or polycrystalline Silicon.

A black silicon carbide ceramic based thermoelectric photodetector, and a thermoelectric optical power meter/thermoelectric optical energy meter using same. The black silicon carbide ceramic based thermoelectric photodetector comprises a thermal conduction plate (21) made of a black silicon carbide ceramic, wherein the surface of one side of the thermal conduction plate (21) is an optical absorption surface (211); and a thermopile (22) or a series connection conductive metal layer (302) is arranged on the surface of either side of the thermal conduction plate (21) to constitute the thermoelectric photodetector. In the thermoelectric photodetector, the black silicon carbide ceramic is used as both the thermal conduction plate (21) and a light absorber, and is directly combined with the thermopile (22) or the series connection conductive metal layer (302) to constitute the thermoelectric photodetector, thereby simplifying the structure of the thermoelectric photodetector.