A method of fabricating a thermoelectric device includes providing a thermoelectric device having a thermally conductive first plate, a thermally conductive second plate, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in a region bounded by and including the first plate and the second plate. The plurality of thermoelectric elements is in thermal communication with the first plate and the second plate. The method further includes forming a polymeric coating in the region on at least one surface of the first plate, at least one surface of the second plate, and at least one surface of the plurality of thermoelectric elements.

A circuit for generating electrical energy is disclosed. The circuit uses a pulse generator in combination with a tube having a cavity therein. The tube can have material therein, such as solid material or fluid passing therethrough. A thyristor or other negative resistance is in series with the tube to increase a change of voltage with respect to time. A resultant energy applied to a load is larger than the energy supplied by the pulse generator due to the absorption of external energy by the tube.

Various brake pads with thermoelectric energy harvesters are disclosed. In some embodiments, the brake pad comprising a backplate, a pad of friction material, and a TEG module. The backplate can comprise a through-hole in which elements of the TEG module are positioned.

A heating and cooling device is disclosed comprising at least one integral low voltage heating and cooling source and an efficient flexible heat distribution means having a thermal conductivity of from 375 to 4000 W/mK for distributing the heat and cool across a surface. Further aspects include thermal interface compounds to provide full thermal contact as well as the use of a phase change material to provide a long lasting heating and/or cooling effect without the use of external electrical input. Preferred applications include automotive and furniture seating heating and cooling, along with outdoor garments having distributed heating and cooling effects.

An ionic thermoelectric (i-TE) hydrogel that converts heat into electricity based on the Soret effect, and devices and methods incorporating the ionic thermoelectric hydrogel. The ionic thermoelectric hydrogel includes poly(acrylamide) crosslinked with an alginate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, and a poly glycol.

A lawn mower has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the lawn mower engine. The current and voltage sent the electrical port depend on a flywheel and stator arrangement operatively connected to the alternator. The stator may be replaceable or interchangeable to selectively determine the alternator current and voltage output. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.

A fast-rate thermoelectric device control system includes a fast-rate thermoelectric device, a sensor, and a controller. The fast-rate thermoelectric device includes a thermoelectric actuator array disposed on a wafer, and the thermoelectric actuator array includes a thin-film thermoelectric (TFTE) actuator that generates a heating and/or a cooling effect in response to an electrical current. The sensor is configured to measure a temperature associated with the heating or cooling effect and output a feedback signal indicative of the measured temperature. The controller is in communication with the fast-rate thermoelectric device and the sensor, and is configured to control the electrical current based on the feedback signal.

An air duct system comprising an air duct having a main body, a visible light source, an emitter configured to emit radio frequency waves, and one or more antennas. The main body of the air duct defines a passageway having a reflective inner surface. The visible light source is configured to generate visible light. The visible light source directs the visible light along the reflective inner surface of the air duct. The emitter directs the radio frequency waves along the reflective inner surface of the air duct. The one or more antennas are each connected to a corresponding power harvesting circuit, where the radio frequency waves are received by the one or more antennas and are converted into electrical power by the corresponding power harvesting circuit.

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.

Operations for integrating thermoelectric devices in Fin FET technology may be implemented in a semiconductor device having a thermoelectric device. The thermoelectric device includes a substrate and a fin structure disposed on the substrate. The thermoelectric device includes a first connecting layer and a second connecting layer disposed on opposing ends of the fin structure. The thermoelectric device includes a first thermal conductive structure thermally and a second thermal conductive structure thermally coupled to the opposing ends of the fin structure. The fin structure may be configured to transfer heat from one of the first thermal conductive structure or the second thermal conductive structure to the other thermal conductive structure based on a direction of current flow through the fin structure. In this regard, the current flow may be adjusted by a power circuit electrically coupled to the thermoelectric device.