A device for powering electronic devices comprises a thermoelectric generator (TEG) applied over a temperature gradient. A combination of feed forward and feed back control of the TEG unit allows for continued operation that is robust to reversal of the temperature gradient, for example over the duration of a diurnal cycle.

A device that includes a region comprising a heat generating device, and an energy harvesting device coupled to the region comprising the heat generating device. The energy harvesting device includes a first thermal conductive layer, a thermoelectric generator (TEG) coupled to the first thermal conductive layer, and a second thermal conductive layer coupled the thermoelectric generator (TEG) such that the thermoelectric generator (TEG) is between the first thermal conductive layer and the second thermal conductive layer. In some implementations, the energy harvesting device includes an insulation layer.

The present disclosure is directed to materials, devices, and methods for resonant ambient thermal energy harvesting. Thermal energy can be harvested using thermoelectric resonators that capture and store ambient thermal fluctuations and convert the fluctuations to energy. The resonators can include non-linear heat transfer elements, such as thermal diodes, to enhance their performance. Incorporation of thermal diodes can allow for a dynamic rectification of temperature fluctuations into a single polarity temperature difference across a heat engine for power extraction, as compared to the dual polarity nature of the output voltage of linear thermal resonators, which typically necessitates electrical rectification to be routed to an entity for energy storage. In some embodiments, the thermal diode can be applied to transient energy harvesting to construct thermal diode bridges. Methods for constructing such devices, and using such devices, are also provided.

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.

A heat capacitor with simple structure, easy to manufacture and high thermoelectric conversion efficiency is provided. The heat capacitor includes: a pair of electrodes, at least one said electrode being a carbonaceous electrode; and a thermoelectric electrolyte disposed between the pair of electrodes, wherein the distance between the pair of electrodes is at most 1 mm.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid handling device comprising: means for harvesting energy; energy storage arranged for storing the harvested energy in the liquid handling device; and an electronic component connected to the energy storage and configured to use the energy storage as a power source.

A semiconductor structure includes, an optical component and a thermal control mechanism. The optical component includes a first main path that splits into a first side path and a second side path so that the first side path and the second side path are separated from one another. The thermal control mechanism configured to control a temperature of both the first side path and the second side path, wherein the first thermal control mechanism includes a first thermoelectric member and a second thermoelectric member that are positioned between the first side path and the second side path and the first thermoelectric member and the second thermoelectric member have opposite conductive types.

With a thermo-siphon type heat exchanger including a heating section of and a heat transfer pipe of a thermoelectric power generation unit, the thermoelectric power generator recovers a heat from a hot gas flowing through a flow path and generates electricity. To the thermo-siphon type heat exchanger, a storage tank that stores a heat medium is connected in a communication state; transferring of the heat medium from the thermo-siphon type heat exchanger to the storage tank, and returning of the heat medium from the storage tank to the thermo-siphon type heat exchanger can adjust the heat medium amount in the thermo-siphon type heat exchanger. At least a part of the storage tank is placed in the flow path so that the stored heat medium is heated, and the stored heat medium can be cooled with a cooler that is capable of turning a cooling function ON/OFF.

A device for use within pipelines, such as an inline inspection tool, includes a renewable power system. The renewable power system includes at least one of a thermoelectric generator or a pressure-based power generator. The thermoelectric generator produces electricity by consuming thermal energy from the heat of the product in the pipeline such as oil or gas. The pressure-based power generator operates by using a rotary connection axis for a turbine which drives an alternator to generate electrical energy. The device may combine both type of generators with a unified power system including regulators, high density batteries, battery chargers, cooling system.

A device for use within pipelines, such as an inline inspection tool, includes a renewable power system. The renewable power system includes at least one of a thermoelectric generator or a pressure-based power generator. The thermoelectric generator produces electricity by consuming thermal energy from the heat of the product in the pipeline such as oil or gas. The pressure-based power generator operates by using a rotary connection axis for a turbine which drives an alternator to generate electrical energy. The device may combine both type of generators with a unified power system including regulators, high density batteries, battery chargers, cooling system.