Abstract: This application provides a camera module and an electronic device, to reduce manufacturing costs of the camera module and improve reliability of the camera module on the premise of ensuring optical image stabilization and auto-focus functions. The camera module includes a housing, and a light transfer part, a lens group, an image sensor, and a motor disposed in the housing. The image sensor is located on the side of the light output side. The motor includes a bracket, a carrier, and eight wires. Two ends of the wires are respectively connected to the carrier and the bracket, and the wires are retractable in length. The carrier is suspended from the bracket using the eight wires and is configured to carry the lens group, and, when the wires extend or retracts in length, drive the lens group to translate or rotate.

Abstract: A method for forming a unique, environmentally-friendly micron scale autonomous electrical power source is provided in a configuration that generates renewable energy for use in electronic systems, electronic devices and electronic system components. The configuration includes a first conductor with a facing surface conditioned to have a low work function, a second conductor with a facing surface having a comparatively higher work function, and a dielectric layer, not more than 200 nm thick, sandwiched between the respective facing surfaces of the first conductor and the second conductor. The autonomous electrical power source formed according to the disclosed method is configured to harvest minimal thermal energy from any source in an environment above absolute zero.

Abstract: A structured plasma cell includes a first electrode including a first plurality of micro-cavities and a first plasma disposed within one or more micro-cavities of the first plurality of micro-cavities. The structured plasma cell also includes a second electrode including a second plurality of micro-cavities and a second plasma disposed within one or more micro-cavities of the second plurality of micro-cavities. The structured plasma cell also includes an inter-electrode gap disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microsystem (1) comprising a substrate (12), a bottom electrode (3) arranged on the substrate (12), a ferroelectric layer (4) arranged on the bottom electrode (3), a top electrode (5) arranged on the ferroelectric layer (4) and an isolation layer (6) that is electrically isolating, that is arranged on the top electrode (5), that extends from the top electrode (5) to the substrate (12) so that the isolation layer (6) covers the bottom electrode (3), the ferroelectric layer (4) and the substrate (12) in a region around the complete circumference of the bottom electrode (3), and the isolation layer (6) has the shape of a ring that confines in its centre a through hole (11) that is arranged in the region of the top electrode (5).

Abstract: A system for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including a heat reservoir and one or more electric generators, each preferably including a heat source and an energy converter. A method for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including activating an electric generator, deactivating the electric generator, and/or providing heat from a heat reservoir.

Abstract: A small-gap device system, preferably including two or more electrodes and one or more spacers maintaining a gap between two or more of the electrodes. A spacer for a small-gap device system, preferably including a plurality of legs defining a mesh structure. A method of spacer and/or small-gap device fabrication, preferably including: defining lateral features, depositing spacer material, selectively removing spacer material, separating the spacer from a fabrication substrate, and/or assembling the small-gap device.

Abstract: A thermoelectric converter including a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high efficiency with a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric generator including a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons in the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.

Abstract: A light turbine, turbine, and turbine housing are described, in which the turbine housing can include a main housing and a chimney. The main housing and chimney define a circular path within which vanes located on the ends of spokes can move. Movement of the vanes can cause rotation of a shaft attached to the spokes. The chimney can be removably attached to the main housing to allow access to the vanes, which can be removably attached to the spokes. The turbine housing and turbine can be configured such that various compositions and/or configurations of vanes can be evaluated in conjunction with one or more forms of energy sources, such as an electromagnetic radiation source. The turbine housing can enable selective evaluation within ambient air, a partial vacuum, and/or the like.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical transducer including one or more moveable members, and a viscoelastic substance having a predetermined viscoelasticity, the viscoelastic substance being adapted to influence the response of the transducer in a predetermined manner. The micro-electromechanical transducer of the present invention may include a MEMS transducer, such as a MEMS microphone, a MEMS vibration sensor, a MEMS acceleration sensor, a MEMS receiver.

Abstract: A self-powered automobile exhaust gas sensor including a supporting frame, a ferroelectric-triboelectric coupling functional film, and two metal electrodes. The ferroelectric-triboelectric coupling functional film comprises a first end fixed on the supporting beam in middle of the supporting frame, and a second end is freestanding. The two metal electrodes are grounded and adhered on the upper and lower sides of the supporting frame, respectively. An iron block is mounted on the top of the supporting frame.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide mechanisms for electrically connecting shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wires of an actuation device to a power or current source via at least one connection element.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first member including a first electrode, a second member coupled to the first member about an axis, including a second electrode, and a surface layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, the second member is rotatable with respect to the axis by an energy flow to change triboelectric charges on the electrodes, and to affect a flow of electrons between the electrodes. A self-powered sensor for detecting a chemical including a generator having an electrode, and a superhydrophobic surface layer for receiving an energy flow carrying triboelectric charges, the surface layer includes a TiO2 layer with nanostructures, and a power indicator indicative of whether the chemical is present based on power output of the triboelectric generator, the energy flow is a solution flow, the solution comprising the chemical and water, and the chemical removes at least one triboelectric charge from the water.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An actuator device has a temperature sensing means and a controller adapted to apply a high frequency AC signal to stimulate internal self-heating to thereby maintain a temperature of an actuator member of the device at a certain fixed temperature, this temperature being elevated with respect to an initial temperature of the actuator member. This ensures that thermal drift may be mitigated or eliminated by compensating for any changes in environmental temperature through raising or lowering the level of the heating signal.

Abstract: A loop-type heat pipe includes an evaporator configured to vaporize an operating fluid, a condenser configured to condense the operating fluid, a liquid pipe configured to connect the evaporator and the condenser, a vapor pipe configured to connect the evaporator and the condenser, a porous body provided in the liquid pipe, and a vapor moving path provided at a part in the liquid pipe separately from the porous body and extending from the evaporator along a longitudinal direction of the liquid pipe, the operating fluid vaporized in the evaporator moving in the vapor moving path. The vapor moving path has a flow path in which the operating fluid vaporized in the evaporator flows and a wall part surrounding the flow path.

Abstract: Various implementations of the invention correspond to an improved vortex flux generator.

Abstract: A stator defines multiple stator poles with associated electrical windings. A rotor includes multiple rotor poles. The rotor is movable with respect to the stator and defines, together with the stator, a nominal gap between the stator poles and the rotor poles. The rotor poles includes a magnetically permeable pole material. The rotor also includes a series of frequency programmable flux channels (FPFCs). Each FPFC includes a conductive loop surrounding an associated rotor pole. The stator and the rotor are arranged such that the electrical windings in the stator induce an excitement current within at least one of the FPFCs during start-up.

Abstract: A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an anode and a cathode. An anode of a thermionic energy converter, preferably including an n-type semiconductor, one or more supplemental layers, and an electrical contact. A method for work function reduction and/or thermionic energy conversion, preferably including inputting thermal energy to a thermionic energy converter, illuminating an anode of the thermionic energy converter, thereby preferably reducing a work function of the anode, and extracting electrical power from the system.

Abstract: A lens module is disclosed. In the lens module, each group of shape memory alloy wires comprises two ends fixed to one of a base and a lens base, and a drive end located between the two ends, the other one of the base and the lens base is provided with a fixing member. The drive end is connected to the fixing member. The fixing member is provided with a flapper for preventing the drive end from escaping the fixing member. By adding a flapper to the fixing member, it may effectively prevent the shape memory alloy wires from escaping the fixing member. Besides, when one group of shape memory alloy wires operates, it does not result in extra stress to other groups of shape memory alloy wires, thereby prolonging service life of the shape memory alloy wires.

Abstract: A quantum wire device includes a barrier formed by an insulator or a wide bandgap semiconductor, and metal quantum wires comprising a metal material and embedded in the barrier. Potential wells are formed for electrons in the metal quantum wires by the insulator or the wide bandgap semiconductor. The work function of the metal quantum wires is reduced by quantum confinement compared to a bulk form of the metal material. The metal quantum wires are electrically connected. The metal quantum wires include an exposed active area for electron emission or electron collection.

Abstract: A remote actuator includes one or more bi-stable strips with at least one shape memory composite (SMC) spring connected to each bi-stable strip. The SMC spring includes a thermoplastic and an electrical and/or thermal conductor for transforming the length of the SMC spring upon heating. The contraction of the SMC spring transforms the bi-stable strip from its coiled stable state to its elongated stable state. The displacement of the SMC spring can be amplified by a simple machine included in the remote actuator. The remote actuator can include a shape memory alloy (SMA) strip for transforming the bi-stable strip from its elongated stable state to it curved stable state upon heating. Heating can be by Joule heating or from an adjacent heat source.

Abstract: A system for thermionic energy generation, preferably including one or more thermionic energy converters, and optionally including one or more power inputs, airflow modules, and/or electrical loads. A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an emitter module, a collector module, and/or a seal, and optionally including a spacer. The thermionic energy converter preferably defines a chamber and/or a heating cavity. A method for thermionic energy generation, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and/or receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to an apparatus that includes an electronics layer with at least one electronic component, and a thermal energy harvesting thermionic device to receive thermal energy and generate an electrical output for powering the electronic component. The thermionic device includes a cathode, an anode spaced from the cathode, and a plurality of nanoparticles in at least one medium contained between the cathode and the anode to permit electron transfer between the cathode and the anode. An intermediate layer is positioned between the thermionic device and the electronics layer. The intermediate layer is made of a gradient thermal expansion material (TEM). Related systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Described are magnetocaloric materials comprising manganese, iron, phosphorus, silicon, carbon and optionally one or both of nitrogen and boron, and processes for producing said magnetocaloric materials.

Abstract: A thermoacoustic device includes a loop tube in which a working gas is sealed; a stack in which a temperature gradient is generated in a tube axis direction of the loop tube, the stack being provided in the loop tube; and a diaphragm structure including a diaphragm provided in the loop tube and an operation unit, the diaphragm having a surface extending in a direction intersecting the tube axis direction and being configured to vibrate with a component of vibration in the tube axis direction, and the operation unit being configured to apply a physical quantity that is required, to the diaphragm to change a rigidity of the diaphragm in the tube axis direction.

Abstract: A thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including one or more electron collectors, interfacial layers, encapsulation, and/or electron emitters. A method for manufacturing the thermionic energy conversion system. A method of operation for a thermionic energy conversion system, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an energy conversion system and method for generating electricity directly from heat by phase transformation of ferroelectric materials without any external power sources. The energy conversion system includes an electric circuit comprising a phase-changing capacitor and a charge reservoir. The phase-changing capacitor has a dielectric layer comprising a phase-transforming ferroelectric material. When the phase-changing capacitor is initialized and subjected to thermal cycles through a transformation temperature of the phase-transforming ferroelectric material, the polarization of the dielectric layer undergoes an abrupt change between a ferroelectric phase and a paraelectric phase such that a current flow between the phase-changing capacitor and the charge reservoir via a load thereby converting heat into electrical energy. The present energy conversion method does not require any external bias fields during the energy conversion.

Abstract: A radioisotope power source is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power source includes a dielectric liquid held within a vessel, a radioisotope material dissolved as an ionic salt within the dielectric liquid thereby forming an ionic salt solution, and a thermal-to-electric power conversion system configured to receive thermal heat generated from the decay of the radioisotope material and to generate electrical power.

Abstract: An improved design for a microelectromechanical device that enables multi-axis detection but is also more robust in demanding operating conditions. The device has a balanced structure formed of two oscillating inertial masses, coupled in a way that optimally utilizes inherent stiffnesses of spring structures to increase robustness of the combined device structure.

Abstract: A system for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including a heat reservoir and one or more electric generators, each preferably including a heat source and an energy converter. A method for combined heat and electric power generation, preferably including activating an electric generator, deactivating the electric generator, and/or providing heat from a heat reservoir.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to an apparatus for a nano-scale energy converter and an electric power generator. The apparatus includes two electrodes separated by a distance. The first electrode is manufactured to have a first work function value and the second electrode is manufactured to have a second work function value, with the first and second work function values being different. A cavity is formed by the distance between the first and second electrodes, and a nanofluid is disposed in the cavity. The nanofluid includes nanoparticles suspended in a dielectric medium. The nanoparticles have a third work function value that is greater than the first and second work function values. The relationship of the work function values of the nanoparticles to the work function values of the electrodes optimizes the transfer of electrons to the nanoparticles through Brownian motion and electron hopping.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft actuator moving linearly against external stimuli whose expansion and contraction can be actively controlled, suggesting that the actuator of the invention overcomes the problems of the conventional soft actuators, The soft actuator of the present invention can be repetitively driven quickly and accurately by controlling heating and cooling by using thermoelectric effect and, the soft actuator of the present invention can realize bending, tensioning, compression, and rotational driving of a tubular device containing a driver.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may provide a portable power system for powering small devices that may be small, may be compact, may provide continuous power, and may be lightweight enough for an astronaut to carry. Various embodiments may provide a compact, thermionic-based cell that provides increased energy density and that more efficiently uses a heat source, such as a Pu-238 heat source. Nanometer scale emitters, spaced tightly together, in various embodiments convert a larger amount of heat into usable electricity than in current thermoelectric technology. The emitters of the various embodiments may be formed from various materials, such as copper (Cu), silicon (Si), silicon-germanium (SiGe), and lanthanides. Various embodiments may be added to regenerative thermionic cells with multiple layers to enhance the energy conversion efficiency of the regenerative thermionic cells.

Abstract: An electrically-powered device, structure and/or component is provided that includes an attached autonomous electrical power source in a form of a unique, environmentally-friendly structure that is configured to transform thermal energy at any temperature above absolute zero to an electric potential without any external stimulus including physical movement or deformation energy. The autonomous electrical power source component provides a mechanism for generating renewable energy, or a renewable energy supplement, as primary or auxiliary power for the electrically-powered device, structure and/or component. The autonomous electrical power source component is formed of one or more elements, each of which includes a first conductor having a surface with a comparatively low work function, a second conductor having a surface with the comparatively high work function and a dielectric layer on a scale of 200 nm or less interposed between the conductors.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An example power generation system includes two capacitors and an electric load. A first capacitor includes a dielectric material that is configured to transition from a ferroelectric phase to a paraelectric or antiferroelectric phase when heated above a first transition temperature, and to transition from the paraelectric or antiferroelectric phase to the ferroelectric phase when cooled below a second transition temperature. A second capacitor is electrically coupled in parallel to the first capacitor. The electric load is electrically coupled to the first capacitor and the second capacitor. The system is configured to cyclically cool the dielectric material below the second transition temperature to draw a charge from the second capacitor to the first capacitors through the electric load, and heat the dielectric material beyond the first transition temperature to draw a charge from the first capacitor to the second capacitors through the electric load.

Abstract: Actuator (100) for an adjustable component, in particular of a motor vehicle, comprising a wire (10) made of a shape memory alloy having a first end portion (11) and a second end portion (12) and extending in an axial direction (A) over a variable length (L); an actuating element (20) movable in the axial direction (A) between a first position (I) and a second position (II); a floating support (30) by which the wire (10) is movably supported in the axial direction (A); a fixed support (33) by which the wire (10) is fixedly disposed in the axial direction (A); at least one abutment (40, 45) connected to the floating support (30) or the fixed support (33) and provided with a through-opening (41, 46) for the wire (10) and a support surface (42, 47) adapted to transmit a force in the radial direction (R); and having at least one elastically deformable connecting element (60, 65) which has a receiving opening (61, 66) for the wire (10), which has a variable diameter (DA1, DA2) and in which the wire (10) is clamped

Abstract: A system and method are presented for the design and fabrication of arrays of vacuum photodiodes for application to solar power generation. In a preferred embodiment, each photodiode cell comprises a microfabricated enclosure with a hermetically sealed vacuum, an absorptive photocathode, and a transparent anode, wherein the photocathode and the anode are separated by a vacuum gap of less than about 20 micrometers. Light incident on the photocathode through the anode leads to a flux of electrons passing from the photocathode across the vacuum gap to the anode. In a further preferred embodiment, the photocathode is backed by a reflection layer with, e.g., controlled diffuse reflection, thus increasing the efficiency of energy extraction. An array of such cells may be manufactured using automated thin-film deposition and micromachining techniques.

Abstract: A wasted heat harvesting device for harvesting electricity including switching means configured to convey a magnetic field from a first region to at least a second region when the temperature of the switching means crosses a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition that includes a perovskite crystal having a ferroelectric domain aligned substantially parallel to a reference axis. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the perovskite crystal may include ABX3, where A is a first cation, B is a second cation, and X is an anion. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, A may include an alkyl ammonium cation. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, B may include a metal element. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the metal element may include lead. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, X may include a halogen. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the perovskite crystal may include methylammonium lead iodide.

Abstract: An electromechanical amplifying method including a transducing an electrical signal to a mechanical resonator having a mechanical resonance mode with an angular frequency ?0; transducing the non-linear oscillations of the resonator into a transduced electrical signal; and filtering the transduced electrical signal to obtain an output signal, the signal transduced to the resonator being obtained by adding a first input signal of a first amplitude and a first angular frequency ?s and a second pump signal of a second amplitude greater than the first amplitude and of a second angular frequency ?s that is different from the first angular frequency, the first and second angular frequencies being close to the angular frequency ?0 of the mechanical resonator and the second pump signal being chosen from a range of angular frequencies ?p and amplitudes in which the resonator is actuated in a non-linear regime.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator device comprising at least one retaining means on which rearview means can be secured or is secured and which are mounted in a movable manner relative to a housing component of a rearview device and comprising at least one adjusting unit with at least one second adjusting means for moving the retaining means relative to the housing component. The first adjusting means and the second adjusting means each comprise at least one shape-memory element, and the first adjusting unit and the second adjusting unit are arranged between the housing component and the retaining means so as to be mechanically connected in series. The first adjusting unit has a first maximum travel path, and the second adjusting unit has a second maximum travel path which is different from the first maximum travel path. The invention also relates to a rearview device with an actuator device according to the invention.

Abstract: A vacuum micro-electronics device that utilizes fissile material capable of using the existing neutron leakage from the fuel assemblies of a nuclear reactor to produce thermal energy to power the heater/cathode element of the vacuum micro-electronics device and a self-powered detector emitter to produce the voltage/current necessary to power the anode/plate terminal of the vacuum micro-electronics device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power generation element includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a first member, and a second member. The first member includes a first crystal and is provided between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The first crystal has a wurtzite structure. The second member is separated from the first member and is provided between the first member and the second conductive layer. A <000-1> direction of the first crystal has a component from the first member toward the second member.

Abstract: A system for thermionic energy generation, preferably including one or more thermionic energy converters, and optionally including one or more power inputs, airflow modules, and/or electrical loads. A thermionic energy converter, preferably including an emitter module, a collector module, and/or a seal, and optionally including a spacer. The thermionic energy converter preferably defines a chamber and/or a heating cavity. A method for thermionic energy generation, preferably including receiving power, emitting electrons, and/or receiving the emitted electrons, and optionally including convectively transferring heat.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using thermoelectric generators to recover waste heat from and diagnose turbocharger systems. In one example, a method may include adjusting one or more engine operating parameters based on an amount of current generated from one or more thermoelectric generators coupled to a turbocharger.

Abstract: A power generator for use to generate power for metrology hardware like gas meters and flow measuring devices. The power generator may use flame-less combustion that creates heat from fuel gas. The heat causes a temperature differential. The power generator may include a thermal electric generator that generates an electrical signal in response to the temperature differential.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cyclical operation of a thermoelectric cell arrangement by periodically changing the temperature of the thermoelectric cell arrangement, wherein the thermoelectric cell arrangement is thermally coupled to a cyclically operated absorption heat pump. The following method steps are carried out cyclically: thermally coupling the thermoelectric cell arrangement during a cooling phase to a cold side of the absorption heat pump, thermally coupling the thermoelectric cell arrangement during a heating phase to a hot side of the absorption heat pump. The invention also relates to a harvester device for generating electrical energy by means of a thermoelectric cell arrangement, wherein the thermoelectric cell arrangement is thermally coupled to an absorption heat pump, wherein the thermal coupling makes it possible to effect, in time with the working cycle of the absorption heat pump, a temperature change in the thermoelectric cell arrangement.

Abstract: A regenerative drive system for generating a rotary movement, which is in the form of a direct hub drive and includes an electric machine that works on the piezoelectric principle, more particularly in the form of a swash plate motor is provided. The drive system can be fitted in vehicles such as box trucks, truck tractors and trailer vehicles.

Abstract: Methods of forming and operating a switching device are provided. The switching device is formed in an interconnect, the interconnect including a plurality of metallization levels, and has an assembly that includes a beam held by a structure. The beam and structure are located within the same metallization level. Locations of fixing of the structure on the beam are arranged so as to define for the beam a pivot point situated between these fixing locations. The structure is substantially symmetric with respect to the beam and to a plane perpendicular to the beam in the absence of a potential difference. The beam is able to pivot in a first direction in the presence of a first potential difference applied between a first part of the structure and to pivot in a second direction in the presence of a second potential difference applied between a second part of the structure.