A system and method are disclosed for internally heated concentrated solar power (CSP) thermal absorbers. The system and method involve an energy-generating device having at least one heating unit. At least one heating unit preheats the energy-generating device in order to expedite the startup time of the energy-generating device, thereby allowing for an increase in efficiency for the production of energy. In some embodiments, the energy-generating device is a CSP thermal absorber. The CSP thermal absorber comprises a housing, a thermal barrier, a light-transparent reservoir containing a liquid alkali metal, at least one alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter (AMTEC) cell, an artery return channel, and at least one heating unit. Each heating unit comprises a heating device and a metal fin. The metal fin is submerged into the liquid alkali metal, thereby allowing the heating device to heat the liquid alkali metal via the fin.

An LED lighting fixture powered by a Metal-Organic Framework heat battery. The heat battery is formed of a canister, a MOF container comprised of a plurality of MOF tunnels, each MOF tunnel containing a powdered MOF material, a gate, and a plurality of thermoelectric devices. Below a certain adsorption activation temperature, the MOF material adsorbs a gas from the atmosphere. Above a certain desorption activation temperature, the MOF desorbs the gas. The heat from the adsorption is used to generate electrical current. The desorbed gas is captured to remove it from the atmosphere.

An LED lighting fixture powered by a Metal-Organic Framework heat battery. The heat battery is formed of a canister, a MOF container comprised of a plurality of MOF tunnels, each MOF tunnel containing a powdered MOF material, a gate, and a plurality of thermoelectric devices. Below a certain adsorption activation temperature, the MOF material adsorbs a gas from the atmosphere. Above a certain desorption activation temperature, the MOF desorbs the gas. The heat from the adsorption is used to generate electrical current. The desorbed gas is captured to remove it from the atmosphere.

The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a thermoelectric device. The method includes disposing a metal layer on a dielectric layer to form a sub-assembly, forming patterned circuits on the metal layer, forming blind vias in the dielectric layer, fabricating first thermoelectric elements in a first series of blind vias, and fabricating second thermoelectric elements in a second series of blind vias to form thermoelectric units with the first thermoelectric elements and the patterned circuits. The sub-assembly is configured to be joined to an adjacent sub-assembly along a first direction, and the first and second thermoelectric elements of each thermoelectric unit are aligned in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The present disclosure further relates to a thermoelectric device which includes a plurality of thermoelectric units forming a strip extending in a first direction.

A motor includes a shaft, a base, a stator, a rotor, a bearing, and at least one or more temperature adjusters. The shaft extends along a central axis extending in an axial direction. The base extends in a radial direction from an end of the shaft in an axially one direction. The stator has an annular shape surrounding the shaft, and is disposed further in an axially other direction than the base. The rotor is rotatable about the central axis. The bearing rotatably supports the rotor. The temperature adjuster adjusts an ambient temperature of the bearing. The shaft has a shaft hole recessed in the axial direction from an axial end of the shaft. The temperature adjuster is disposed in the shaft hole and overlaps at least a portion of the bearing as viewed in the radial direction.

Multiple embodiments of a system are disclosed to draw heat away from the body through the palm, back of the hand, or forehead using a thermoelectric device. In doing so, the core body temperature may be lessened, allowing for quicker muscle recovery and better physical performance during exercise and/or during rest breaks between periods of exercise.

A cooling system for a photovoltaic panel including micro flat heat pipes (HP) integrated with thermoelectric generators (TEG) and a cooled water reservoir for cooling the working fluid in heat pipes. The cooled water in the reservoir is pumped from the condensate pan of an air conditioner. Experimental results show that cooling system reduced the average temperature of the panel by as much as 19° C. or 25%. Further, the output power of the photovoltaic panel increased by 44% when the photovoltaic panel was used in a very hot climate (30-40° C.). An additional two watts of power was generated by the TEGs.

In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a thermoelectric generator (TEG) system can include a TEG conversion element configured to be in thermal communication with a leading edge surface subject to hypersonic flow and a heatsink to generate a temperature differential across the TEG conversion element mounted between the leading edge surface and heatsink, and an electrical conductor configured to connect between the TEG conversion element and a powered unit to supply electrical energy from the TEG conversion element to the powered unit.

A sensor having thermal stability at greater than 900° C., including a sensor body comprising an energy harvesting thermal electric generator, a heat sink in thermally conductive contact with the body, and a conductor electrically attached to the body, the conductor surrounded by a ceramic dielectric material. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a sensor disposed in the borehole.

A plasma torch that includes an electrode having an exterior surface and a tip having an interior surface spaced apart from and facing the exterior surface of the electrode. A process gas flow channel located being located between the exterior surface of the electrode and the interior surface of the tip. A thermoelectric cooler having a cold plate and a hot plate is disposed between the exterior surface of the electrode and the interior surface of the tip with the cold plate being thermally connected to the exterior surface of the electrode. According to some implementations, electrical power is deliverable to the thermoelectric cooler only up electrical power being supplied to the electrode.