Provided is a heat flow switching element which has a larger change in a thermal conductivity and has excellent thermal responsiveness. The heat flow switching element includes an N-type semiconductor layer, an insulator layer laminated on the N-type semiconductor layer, a P-type semiconductor layer laminated on the insulator layer, an N-side electrode connected to the N-type semiconductor layer, and a P-side electrode connected to the P-type semiconductor layer. In particular, the insulator layer is formed of a dielectric. Also, a plurality of N-type semiconductor layers and P-type semiconductor layers are laminated alternately with the insulator layer interposed therebetween.

The present invention relates to a feedback device and a thermal feedback provision method using the same. The thermal feedback provision method may include checking first operating power applied to a first thermoelectric couple group for a first thermoelectric operation and second operating power applied to a second thermoelectric couple group for a second thermoelectric operation when the first thermoelectric operation is initiated in the first thermoelectric couple group to initiate the output of the first thermal feedback after the second thermoelectric operation is initiated in the second thermoelectric couple group to initiate the output of the second thermal feedback and include applying cognitive enhancement power for enhancing a user's cognition to the first thermoelectric couple group from a time point at which the output of the first thermal feedback is initiated up to a first time point so that the user's cognition of the first thermal feedback is enhanced.

A thermoelectric module includes a substrate, an electrode provided on a first surface of the substrate, a thermoelectric element, and a first diffusion prevention layer disposed between the electrode and the thermoelectric element. The first diffusion prevention layer includes a first material having a lower ionization tendency than that of hydrogen.

The invention discloses a method and modified aerodynamic apparatuses: fluid pushers-off and fluid motion-sensors, making enable efficient implementation and use of a controllable enhanced jet-effect, either the waving jet-effect, the Coanda jet-effect, the lift-effect, the effect of thrust, the Venturi effect, and/or the de Laval jet-effect, all are controllable using the Peltier effect and/or the Seebeck effect. The modified aerodynamic apparatuses are geometrically shaped and supplied with built-in thermoelectric devices, wherein the presence of the thermoelectric devices provides for new functional properties of the modified aerodynamic apparatuses. The method solves the problem of effective control of the operation of modified aerodynamic apparatuses such as airfoil wings of a flying vehicle, convergent-divergent nozzles, loudspeakers, and detectors of acoustic waves, all of a highly-efficient functionality.

An apparatus and method for producing a temperature difference between the sides of a Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) for generating electrical power are described. Water is used to saturate a wicking material in thermal communication with at least one thermal conductor, such as metal tubing or wires, whereby one side of the TEG is cooled by the reduction of heat caused by the evaporation of the liquid from the material, and transferred to the TEG by the at least one thermal conductor. The other side of the TEG is maintained in a dry condition, and exposed to ambient conditions, thereby remaining at ambient temperature and, as a result, containing more heat than the cooled side.

A fluid dispensing system comprises a first pipe, a second pipe and a thermoelectric generator. The first pipe is configured to carry fluid to the fluid dispensing system. The second pipe is configured to carry fluid to the fluid dispensing system. Temperature of the fluid carried by the first pipe is higher than temperature of the fluid carried by the second pipe. The thermoelectric generator comprises a first side and a second side. The first side of the thermoelectric generator is in thermal contact with the first pipe. The second side of the thermoelectric generator is in thermal contact with the second pipe. Temperature gradient is established between the first side and the second side due to difference in temperature in the first pipe and the second pipe. Electric current is generated by the thermoelectric generator as a result of the temperature gradient.

A thermoelectric module includes an N-type thermoelectric material and a P-type thermoelectric material disposed so as to be spaced apart from the N-type thermoelectric material. A flexible electrode is electrically connected to the N-type thermoelectric material and the P-type thermoelectric material. The flexible electrode is configured to bend to match a curvature of an object, e.g., a steering wheel of a vehicle.

Systems and methods of the present disclosure relate to dampening downhole vibrations with an electroactive polymer (EAP). A downhole tool comprises a collar; an electronic control unit (ECU); a vibration sensor in communication with the ECU; a voltage source in communication with the ECU; and the EAP disposed along portions of the collar, the EAP in communication with the ECU, wherein the ECU is configured to apply voltage to the EAP based on signals received from the vibration sensor.

The present invention discloses a flexible sensor detection system for medical care and health, including: an information collection module, which uses a wearable device as a carrier, where flexible sensors are respectively arranged on the wearable device; an information transmission module, configured to wirelessly transmit collected information to an information processing and feedback module; and the information processing and feedback module, configured to perform grading treatment on received data information and feed back a health condition corresponding to the data information to the information transmission module, where the information transmission module compares feedback health condition data with a preset health threshold to determine whether to give an alarm. A heart rate ECG band, a breathing band, a shell temperature band, a blood flow rate band, a blood glucose band, a blood oxygen band, and a deep temperature band of the present invention are provided with the built-in flexible sensors.

The present disclosure includes: a casing with an open top; a combustion compartment including: a combustion chamber disposed inside the casing to generate a blue flame-shaped flame by burning vegetable oil; a combustion cover enclosing the combustion chamber therein, and having an inner wall spaced apart from an outer wall of the combustion chamber by a predetermined distance to form a predetermined cavity; and an air chamber disposed below the combustion cover with a lower end of the combustion chamber being positioned above, wherein the air chamber supplies outside air toward the combustion chamber during combustion of the vegetable oil; an oil tank that supplies the vegetable oil to the combustion chamber; and a control unit that controls whether or not to drive the air chamber, the flow and supply pressure of the outside air, and whether or not to supply the vegetable oil and a supply amount of the vegetable oil.