Results from the Microminiature Thermionic Converter Demonstration Testing Program

Conference · Mon Oct 05 00:00:00 EDT 1998

OSTI ID:757

King, D B; Luke, J R; Wyant, F J

Research is in progress to develop microminiature thermionic converters (MTCS) with high energy conversion efficiencies and variable operating temperatures using semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) fabrication methods. The use of IC techniques allows the fabrication of MTCS with cathode to anode spacing of several microns or less and with anode and cathode materials that will have work fimctions ranging from 1 eV to 3 eV. The small cathode to anode spacing and variable electrode work functions should allow the conversion of heat energy to relatively large current densities (up to tens of Amps/cmz) at relatively high conversion efficiencies ( 15-25%).

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 757
• Report Number(s): SAND98-2231C; ON: DE00000757
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
Miniaturization
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
Sandia National Laboratories
Thermionic Converters