Title: Harvesting mechanical and thermal energy by combining nanowires and phase change materials

Abstract

A system is disclosed for harvesting at least one of mechanical or thermal energy. The system may have a flexible substrate, a plurality of electrically conductive nanowires secured to the substrate, and a plurality of electrically conductive metal layers. The metal layers may be disposed on the substrate and spaced apart from one another along a length of the substrate. The metal layers may be in electrically conductive contact with various ones of the nanowires. At least two of the metal layers may be attachable to an external device. At least one of movement or flexing of the substrate produces an output voltage across the metal layers.

Inventors:

Radousky, Harry B.; Qian, Fang; Wang, Yinmin

Issue Date:

Tue May 21 00:00:00 EDT 2019

Research Org.:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1568384

Patent Number(s):

10298152

Application Number:

15/133,764

Assignee:

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F03 - MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS F03G - SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS

H - ELECTRICITY H02 - GENERATION H02N - ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

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F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F03 - MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS F03G - SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS

F03G7/065 - {using a shape memory element}

H - ELECTRICITY H02 - GENERATION H02N - ELECTRIC MACHINES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

H02N2/18 - producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC52-07NA27344

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 04/20/2016

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; 77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY