Directory:Power Chips PLC
From PESWiki
Power Chips™ use thermionics to convert heat directly into electricity. This will be one of the first industrial applications of nanotechnology. These small, solid-state devices promise to improve current power generation and waste heat recovery techniques. Power Chips will deliver up to 70-80% of the maximum (Carnot) theoretical efficiency for heat pumps (conventional power generation equipment operates at up to 40% Carnot efficiency). (Ref. PowerChips home page (http://www.powerchips.gi/).)
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About
Companies
Power Chips PLC
- Power Chips PLC (http://www.powerchips.gi/)
- FAQ (http://www.powerchips.gi/faq.shtml) and explanation of the technology
- Patents (http://www.powerchips.gi/technology/patents.shtml)
- Agreement (http://www.varmaraf.is/engl/press1.htm) between Power Chips and Varmaraf - a geothermal cooperation
Physics
Text copied from Power Chips web site
By creating a heat differential, energetic electrons are made to "tunnel" from one side of a tiny vacuum gap to another, creating a usable flow of electric current. This process is called thermotunneling and is based on known principles of quantum physics.
As a result of certain states being forbidden, electrons are forced to a higher energy level. The work function - the amount of energy needed for an electron to leave the surface -- has dropped. And Power Chips that work at low enough temperatures to recover waste heat become achievable.
Efficiency
The projected Carnot efficiency should be 70%-80%, which compares to a 15%-30% Carnot efficiency of today's internal combustion motors and turbines.
Discussion
- Environmental Heat Engine (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pes_EHE) - Yahoo!Groups discussion list surrounding the environmental heat engine concept. Encouraging replications, refinement of theory, and ultimately getting a feasible product to market.
See also
- Directory:Thermal Electric
- Directory:Nanotechnology
- Thermal Electric (http://www.freeenergynews.com/Directory/ThermoElectric) - index at FreeEnergyNews.com
- Other Directory listings
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