Potential difference generation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat generating devices using hydrogen storage metals face heat loss when converting heat into electric power, necessitating a novel device that can generate electric power directly without relying on heat conversion.
Innovation Solution
A potential difference generation device featuring a nanostructure with a multilayer film composed of stacked layers of different hydrogen storage metals or ceramics, where hydrogen occlusion and quantum diffusion generate charged particles, which are then captured to produce a potential difference between electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If heat is converted into electric power using traditional methods (e.g., turbine), then electric power can be generated, but heat loss occurs during conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical heat-to-electric conversion system (turbine) with a direct quantum mechanical effect system. Hydrogen atoms tunnel through the potential barrier at the heterogeneous material interface, directly generating charged particles (electrons and holes) that produce electric power without mechanical intermediaries, thereby eliminating heat loss during conversion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from thermal energy (heat) to quantum mechanical tunneling probability. By controlling the thickness of the nanostructure (less than 1000 nm) and the potential barrier height, the system directly converts hydrogen occlusion energy into electrical energy through quantum diffusion, bypassing the thermal conversion process
2Power
If a nanostructure with multilayer film is used to enable quantum diffusion, then direct electric power generation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the hydrogen storage function and the charge generation function into distinct layers: the base layer (hydrogen storage metal/alloy) and the multilayer film (first layer and second layer with different materials). This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally while working together to achieve direct electric power generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials in the multilayer film structure, combining different hydrogen storage metals or ceramics to create the first layer and second layer. This composite structure creates the necessary heterogeneous material interface for quantum diffusion while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic material selection
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 device effectively generates electric power directly by harnessing the quantum diffusion of hydrogen in the nanostructure, eliminating heat loss associated with traditional heat-to-electric conversion methods.
Implementation Method 1
hydrogen permeates through or diffuses into the heterogeneous material interface by quantum diffusion
Implementation Method 2
a charged particle is emitted from the multilayer film
Implementation Method 3
the charged particle is captured by the second electrode, so that a potential difference is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Provided is a potential difference generation device that can directly generate electric power. A potential difference generation device 10 includes: a nanostructure 16A including a base 24 made of a hydrogen storage metal or the like, and a multilayer film 25A provided on the base 24; a first electrode 17 provided on the nanostructure 16A; and a second electrode 18 provided to face the multilayer film 25A, in which the multilayer film 25A has a configuration in which a first layer made of a hydrogen storage metal or the like and having a thickness of less than 1000 nm and a second layer made of a hydrogen storage metal or the like different from that of the first layer and having a thickness of less than 1000 nm are stacked, and a heterogeneous material interface is formed between the first layer and the second layer, the nanostructure 16A is heated, so that hydrogen permeates through or diffuses into the heterogeneous material interface by quantum diffusion, and a charged particle is emitted from the multilayer film 25A, and the charged particle is captured by the second electrode 18, so that a potential difference is generated between the first electrode 17 and the second electrode 18.