Enhanced thermonic energy converter and method of use
US10373812B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 6, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC23C16/511
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A thermionic energy converter includes an anode, a cathode spaced from the anode to define a gap therebetween and an operating environment of hydrogen wherein the anode and the cathode are disposed in the hydrogen operating environment so that molecular hydrogen is incorporated into the gap and the anode and the cathode are substantially exposed to the molecular hydrogen. Exposure of diamond samples to a hydrogen plasma reduces the resistance of the bulk diamond film. Hydrogen enhances electron transport through the bulk of the diamond and improves the thermionic emission current. Impregnation of a diamond electrode with hydrogen enhances bulk electron transport of the diamond due to hydrogen lying in the interstitial space between the carbon atoms. Hydrogen increases the bulk conductivity of diamonds films by interact with the diamond surface to form polarized C—H bonds reducing the electron affinity and in turn, reducing the work function. Exposure of diamond cathodes to a low energy hydrogen plasma drastically enhances thermionic emission current relative to as-grown diamond films by up to four orders of magnitude due to surface termination of diamond with hydrogen (i.e. hydroge…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.