Method of Manufacturing and Operating Nano-Scale Energy Conversion Device

Abstract

Embodiments relate to methods of manufacturing and operating nano-scale energy converters and electric power generators. The nano-scale energy converters include two electrodes separated a predetermined distance. The first electrode is manufactured to have a first work function value. The second electrode is manufactured to have a second work function value different from the first work function value. A cavity is formed between the first and second electrodes, and a nanofluid is disposed in the cavity. The nanofluid includes a plurality of nanoparticles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 providing a first electrode comprising a first substrate and a first coating deposited on at least a first surface portion of the first substrate, the first substrate having a first work function value and comprising tungsten (W), the first coating comprising a first thermionic electron emissive material to provide the first electrode with a second work function value that is less than the first work function value;   providing a second electrode comprising a second substrate and a second coating deposited on at least a second surface portion of the second substrate, the second substrate having a third work function value and comprising gold (Au), the second coating comprising a second thermionic electron emissive material to provide the second electrode with a fourth work function value that is less than the third work function value and different than the second work function value;   including a nanofluid and a dielectric medium in a cavity positioned between the first and second electrodes, wherein the nanofluid comprises a plurality of nanoparticles and the dielectric medium is formed from a sol-gel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first coating is deposited over 50% to 70% of a first surface of the first substrate, the first surface including the first surface portion. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second coating is depositing over 50% to 70% of the second surface of the second substrate, the second surface including the second surface portion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 electrospray depositing the first thermionic electron emissive material over the first surface portion; and   electrospray depositing the second thermionic electron emissive material over the second surface portion.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming a plurality of dipoles on a surface of the first thermionic electron emissive material, the second thermionic electron emissive material, or a combination of the first and second thermionic electron emissive materials.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the dipoles modify a proximate dipole moment. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity extends from the first electrode to the second electrode by a distance in a range of about 1 nanometer to less than 10 nanometers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is an emitter electrode and the second electrode is a collector. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of nanoparticles is suspended in the dielectric medium. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 electrically connecting a first electrical conductor to the first electrode;   electrically connecting a second electrical conductor to the second electrode; and   electrically connecting the first conductor and the second conductor to a load.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, or a combination of the first and second electrodes comprises:
 lead selenide telluride (PbSeTe), lead telluride (PbTe), or a combination thereof.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first electrode, the second electrode, or the combination of the first and second electrodes is doped with bismuth or antimony. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first thermionic electron emissive material, the second thermionic electron emissive material, or both the first and second thermionic electron emissive materials comprises cesium oxide.