J. Birmingham
Birmingham Technologies Inc.,
United States
Keywords: thermionic emission, renewable energy, replace lithium-ion batteries
Summary:
Birmingham Technologies, Inc. (“BTI”) has created the world’s first room-temperature Thermionic energy producing saleable devices. These innovations at BTI signal such a colossal paradigm shift in how we think about renewable energy. Solar and wind renewable energy are intermittent because the sun doesn't always shine or the wind blow. Thermionics enable continuous on-demand renewable power at room temperature and consequently enables the elimination of energy storage. BTI has demonstrated its room temperature thermionic devices could supplant the burning of hydrocarbons within 10 years. These nanoscale-size power generators last anywhere from multiple years to a decade without ever needing a recharge. They offer the possibility of higher power density than lithium-ion batteries producing self-charging cells that replace electrochemical batteries. These thermionic devices do not use toxic, hazardous, or exotic materials creating a power production cells that are almost indestructible and safe. Applications such as lightening soldier’s load by eliminating electrochemical batteries is an important battery replacement applications. These nanoscale energy harvesters are much lighter than current lithium-ion batteries. The heart of each power cell is a thermionic nanoscale energy harvester (with patents pending on the technology and manufacturing processes). BT uses electrode components that eliminate the possibility of electrochemistry (i.e. zero electrochemical potential electrodes). Initially, BT takes the conducting electrode, cleans its surfaces, and deposits nanomaterials (to lower its electrode work function) thereby producing even more electrons upon assembly. These electrons that have absorbed sufficient thermal energy from the ambient environment are emitted. The deposited nanostructures act as an electron emitter, collecting, and focusing the charge, facilitating the escape of the electrons from the electrode into the nanscale gap. The emission of electrons cools the electrode by approximately 1 degree C. A gap-filling nanotechnology enables the electrons to reach the collecting electrode that heats it by approximately 1 degree C. The transport of electrons across the gap is accomplished by eliminating the space charge accumulation (and consequently crippling arcing). The electron working fluid maintains the heat gradient of 2 degrees Centigrade between the electrodes creating a nanoscale heat engine. Finally, the electrons leave the collector electrode and proceed through an electrical load (and heat exchanger) and return to the emitter electrode. Consequently, the thermionic power generator is without moving parts, safe, and retains a battery-like form factor that generates power for a very long lifetime. BTI has tested the device with SCO (DoD Agency) from - 20 degrees C to 80 degrees C. Since these energy cells produce electricity, without any hazards, making it safe for use in a variety of applications, including high pressure, aerospace, and space applications. The technology could be used at any scale to power electronics like a cell phone (eliminating electrochemical batteries weight from a warrior), sensor networks, or computers. A large scale application includes electric jets, helicopters, tanks, submarines, and ships. The goal of BT is to cut power cords everywhere by using self-charging batteries.