H02N1/08

Device for ambient thermal and vibration energy harvesting

An integrated circuit on a chip may include a plurality of capacitors that are connected in series and generate an AC noise signal. A selected bandwidth of the AC noise signal transmits through the series of capacitors as a first AC power signal. Respective rectifiers are positioned for receiving a positive cycle of the first AC power signal and a negative cycle of the first AC power signal. Output terminals are connected to the respective rectifiers and configured for connection to an off chip circuit. The capacitors may be fixed or variable gap capacitors.

STATIC ELECTRICITY RECHARGING DEVICE FOR A USED MASK
20230019077 · 2023-01-19 ·

A mask has to possess sufficient electrostatic charges in order to maintain a filtering effect of the mask using static electricity. However, an electrostatic property naturally decreases as an amount of the electrostatic charges decreases when contacting a human body or exposed to the air. Resultantly, as an initial electrostatic filtering effect gradually decreases, an initially intended function of the mask is not implemented.

The present invention relates to a static electricity recharging device for a mask, which allows the mask to be reused by recharging reduced or removed electrostatic charges in the mask.

STATIC ELECTRICITY RECHARGING DEVICE FOR A USED MASK
20230019077 · 2023-01-19 ·

A mask has to possess sufficient electrostatic charges in order to maintain a filtering effect of the mask using static electricity. However, an electrostatic property naturally decreases as an amount of the electrostatic charges decreases when contacting a human body or exposed to the air. Resultantly, as an initial electrostatic filtering effect gradually decreases, an initially intended function of the mask is not implemented.

The present invention relates to a static electricity recharging device for a mask, which allows the mask to be reused by recharging reduced or removed electrostatic charges in the mask.

ELECTROSTATIC MACHINE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION

An electrostatic machine includes a drive electrode and a stator electrode. The drive electrode and the stator electrode are separated by a gap and form a capacitor. The drive electrode is configured to move with respect to the stator electrode. The electrostatic machine further includes a housing configured to enclose the drive electrode and the stator electrode. The stator electrode is fixed to the housing. The electrostatic machine also includes a dielectric fluid that fills a void defined by the housing, the drive electrode, and the stator electrode. The dielectric fluid includes an ester.

Vibrational energy harvester element

A vibrational energy harvester element includes: a first electrode; a second electrode that moves in a predetermined direction with respect to the first electrode; a third electrode; a fourth electrode that moves in the predetermined direction with respect to the third electrode; and a support portion that supports the second electrode and the fourth electrode so that they are movable along the predetermined direction; and wherein: the first electrode and the third electrode are disposed along the predetermined direction; at least one of facing surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode, and at least one of facing surfaces of the third electrode and the fourth electrode, are electrically charged; and the support portion supports the second electrode and the fourth electrode in a state in which electrostatic force between the first electrode and the second electrode, and electrostatic force between the third electrode and the fourth electrode are balanced along the predetermined direction.

Vibrational energy harvester element

A vibrational energy harvester element includes: a first electrode; a second electrode that moves in a predetermined direction with respect to the first electrode; a third electrode; a fourth electrode that moves in the predetermined direction with respect to the third electrode; and a support portion that supports the second electrode and the fourth electrode so that they are movable along the predetermined direction; and wherein: the first electrode and the third electrode are disposed along the predetermined direction; at least one of facing surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode, and at least one of facing surfaces of the third electrode and the fourth electrode, are electrically charged; and the support portion supports the second electrode and the fourth electrode in a state in which electrostatic force between the first electrode and the second electrode, and electrostatic force between the third electrode and the fourth electrode are balanced along the predetermined direction.

Method of manufacturing MEMS vibration element and MEMS vibration element

A method of manufacturing a MEMS vibration element having a fixed electrode, a movable electrode, and an elastic supporting unit that elastically supports the movable electrode with respect to the fixed electrode includes: etching a base material having a first thickness to form the fixed electrode and the movable electrode; and etching the base material to form the elastic supporting unit having a second thickness, the second thickness being less than the first thickness.

Method of manufacturing MEMS vibration element and MEMS vibration element

A method of manufacturing a MEMS vibration element having a fixed electrode, a movable electrode, and an elastic supporting unit that elastically supports the movable electrode with respect to the fixed electrode includes: etching a base material having a first thickness to form the fixed electrode and the movable electrode; and etching the base material to form the elastic supporting unit having a second thickness, the second thickness being less than the first thickness.

POWER GENERATOR

A power generator includes an electret including a first charged surface and a second charged surface having opposite polarities, a first electrode partially formed on the first charged surface, a second electrode formed on the second charged surface, a third electrode disposed to face the first charged surface with a space, and at least one of a power storage unit or an output unit. The first charged surface has a current collecting surface that is exposed outward. The first electrode and the second electrode form a first power generating unit and the third electrode and the second electrode form a second power generating unit. The electret is formed by polarizing an electret material that includes an inorganic dielectric having a bandgap energy of 4 eV or more.

POWER GENERATOR

A power generator includes an electret including a first charged surface and a second charged surface having opposite polarities, a first electrode partially formed on the first charged surface, a second electrode formed on the second charged surface, a third electrode disposed to face the first charged surface with a space, and at least one of a power storage unit or an output unit. The first charged surface has a current collecting surface that is exposed outward. The first electrode and the second electrode form a first power generating unit and the third electrode and the second electrode form a second power generating unit. The electret is formed by polarizing an electret material that includes an inorganic dielectric having a bandgap energy of 4 eV or more.