Thermotunnel converter with spacers between the electrodes

Martinovsky A., Tavkhelidze A., Cox I. (2005) Thermotunnel converter with spacers between the electrodes. US patent 6,876,123.

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Abstract

A thermotunneling converter is disclosed comprising a pair of electrodes having inner surfaces substantially facing one another, and a spacer or plurality of spacers positioned between the two electrodes, having a height substantially equal to the distance between the electrodes, and having a total cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of either of the electrodes. In a preferred embodiment, a vacuum is introduced, and in a particularly preferred embodiment, gold that has been exposed to cesium vapor is used as one or both of the electrodes. In a further embodiment, the spacer is made of small particles disposed between the electrodes. In a yet further embodiment, a sandwich is made containing the electrodes with an unoxidized spacer. The sandwich is separated and the spacer is oxidized, which makes it grow to a required height whilst giving it insulatory properties, to allow for tunneling between the electrodes.

Item Type:	Patent
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General)
Divisions:	Faculties/Schools > School of Natural Sciences and Engineering
Depositing User:	Professor Avtandil Tavkhelidze
Date Deposited:	08 May 2014 09:27
Last Modified:	02 Apr 2015 07:38
URI:	http://eprints.iliauni.edu.ge/id/eprint/1446

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