Active Material Oxygen Compounds Power Generator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoelectric and thermionic power generators face low conversion efficiency and require a temperature gradient, as well as a relatively constant thermal source for effective operation.
Innovation Solution
An active material comprising oxygen-containing compounds like MgO, ZnO, and ZrO2, combined with thickener additives such as agar agar and methylcellulose, and plasticizer additives like silicone, which can generate current between electrodes without initial charging and is sensitive to temperature, allowing for thermal energy conversion into electric energy even at isothermal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thermoelectric or thermionic power generators are used to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, then power generation is achieved, but conversion efficiency is low and a temperature gradient is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the active material by using oxygen-containing compounds with specific particle sizes (10 nm to 40 μm) and combining them with thickener and plasticizer additives. This creates a material that can generate current through ionic conduction without requiring a temperature gradient, thereby improving conversion efficiency and eliminating the temperature constraint
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite active material consisting of oxygen-containing compounds (such as MgO, ZnO, ZrO2) combined with thickener additives (agar agar, xanthan gum, methylcellulose) and plasticizer additives. This composite structure enables ionic conduction and current generation without requiring a temperature gradient, resolving the contradiction between power generation capability and temperature gradient requirement
2Loss of energy
If thermoelectric or thermionic power generators are used, then thermal energy conversion to electrical energy is achieved, but a relatively constant thermal source is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating principle from electron/thermionic conduction to ionic conduction by selecting appropriate oxygen-containing compounds. This allows the device to function with variable thermal sources without requiring a constant temperature gradient, thereby improving adaptability to different thermal source conditions while maintaining energy conversion capability
3Temperature
If traditional thermoelectric materials are used, then a temperature gradient is maintained, but current generation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the conduction mechanism from electronic to ionic by using oxygen-containing compounds with specific particle size ranges. This enables significantly higher current generation (6-10 times increase) without relying on temperature gradient maintenance, thereby resolving the contradiction between temperature gradient requirement and current generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The composite active material combining oxygen-containing compounds with specific particle sizes and organic additives creates a system that supports high ionic conductivity. This enables superior current generation performance without the limitations of traditional thermoelectric materials that require temperature gradients
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The active material significantly increases current generation by a factor of 6-10 when temperature is raised from 20 to 80°C, overcoming the limitations of traditional power generators by eliminating the need for a temperature gradient and improving energy conversion efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
capable to be applied on one electrode and to generate current when comprised between at least two electrodes without initial charging and dependently on the temperature
Implementation Method 2
The active material significantly increases current generation by a factor of 6-10 when temperature is raised from 20 to 80°C
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an active material comprising at least one oxygen containing compound selected from the group consisting of MgO, ZnO, ZrOCl2, ZrO2, SiO2, Bi2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2, at least one thickener additive selected from the group consisting of agar agar, xanthan gum, methylcellulose, and arabic gum, and at least one plasticizer additive, wherein the particle size of the at least one oxygen-based compound has an average diameter in the range from 10 nm to 40 μm. The invention concerns also an electric power generator (EPG) comprising at least a first electrode (11) and a second electrode (12), wherein the electric power generator comprises the active material between said electrodes (11,12).