Energy Scavenging Device Using Multi-Spectrum Semiconductor Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy scavenging technologies are limited in their ability to efficiently harvest energy from environmental radiation at ambient temperatures, particularly for powering electronic devices over extended periods without maintenance, and struggle to achieve the reliability and cost-effectiveness comparable to conventional energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing HgCdTe alloy semiconductors for thermal radiation and III-V alloy semiconductors for visible and near-infrared light, with p-i-n or pn-junctions on lattice-matched or unmatched substrates, and nano-scaled 3-dimensional blocks for enhanced photon absorption, allowing energy harvesting from a broad spectrum and efficient energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional energy scavenging technologies are used to harvest energy from environmental radiation, then energy can be generated from the environment, but the efficiency and power output are insufficient to reliably power electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the broad electromagnetic spectrum into multiple wavelength bands (visible light, near-infrared, mid-infrared, far-infrared) and uses different semiconductor materials optimized for each band. This segmentation allows each material to operate at peak efficiency for its designated wavelength range, collectively achieving high power output across the entire spectrum while maintaining reliable performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite structure combining multiple semiconductor materials (III-V alloys for visible/near-IR, HgCdTe for mid-IR, and other specialized materials for far-IR) on a common substrate. This composite approach enables the device to harvest energy from the full environmental radiation spectrum, achieving both high power output and reliability that single-material devices cannot attain
2Duration of action of moving object
If existing energy harvesting methods are deployed, then some energy can be scavenged from the environment, but the energy generation is insufficient for continuous 24/7 operation of electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The energy harvesting device is designed with multi-functionality to operate across all lighting conditions (daylight, twilight, nighttime) and all weather conditions by capturing energy from the entire electromagnetic spectrum. This universal capability ensures continuous 24/7 energy generation regardless of external environmental variations, enabling indefinite operation of electronic devices
Solution Approach 2:
The device maintains continuous energy harvesting action by covering the complete spectrum of environmental radiation from UV to far-infrared. The multiple semiconductor materials work simultaneously and continuously to convert available radiation into electrical energy, ensuring uninterrupted power supply for electronic devices at any time
3Productivity
If environmental radiation is harvested to power electronic devices, then battery replacement can be avoided, but current technologies cannot generate sufficient energy density
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from conventional single-layer or simple multi-layer structures to a vertically stacked multi-material architecture that captures radiation from multiple wavelength dimensions simultaneously. This dimensional approach maximizes the energy generation rate per unit area by utilizing the full spectral dimension, achieving high productivity and energy density
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 solution enables continuous energy generation and storage from environmental radiation, achieving tens of milliwatts per square centimeter, supporting 24/7 operation and reducing the need for battery replacement, while being cost-effective and flexible for integration into various devices.
Implementation Method 1
Energy scavenging based on solar and/or infrared wavelength energy from thermal radiators are developed to efficiently generate power. According to this invention, a novel cost-effective, high efficient environmental scavenger that can scavenge energy at ambient temperature to drive the electronic devices.
Implementation Method 2
utilizes HgCdTe alloy semiconductor for thermal radiation and III-V alloy semiconductors for visible and near-infrared light
Implementation Method 3
a device disclosed in this invention utilizes HgCdTe alloy semiconductor for harvesting energy from the thermal radiation, comprises the p-i-n or pn-junction formed on the lattice matched or lattice unmatched substrate
Implementation Method 4
nano-scaled 3-dimensional blocks for enhanced photon absorption
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is related to energy scavenging device and in particular, to energy harvesting or scavenging from the environmental radiation covering from solar spectrum and thermal radiation. Energy harvesting device is an integrated device comprising the devices that capture the radiation and converted into electrons, and also energy management devices to manage the converted energy either to store, to operate the electronic devices, and/or recharge the batteries. The energy scavenging devices integrates several device capabilities such as energy conversion, management, and storing the energy, on a common platform. Herein a design of a device capable to scavenge or harvest the energy from environment radiation is disclosed. A primary objective of this invention is to provide a design of a scavenging device that harvests the energy from environment radiation, operates 24/7, thereby generate and store, manage the energy as required.