U.S. patent application number 14/286759 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-11 for thick film ferroelectric generator.
The applicant listed for this patent is Velos Industries, LLC. Invention is credited to Robert H. Burgener, II, Gary M. Renlund.
Application Number | 20140252920 14/286759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39230914 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140252920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burgener, II; Robert H. ; et
al. |
September 11, 2014 |
THICK FILM FERROELECTRIC GENERATOR
Abstract
Methods, compositions, and apparatus for generating electricity
are provided. Electricity is generated through the mechanisms
nuclear magnetic spin and remnant polarization electric generation.
The apparatus may include a material with high nuclear magnetic
spin or high remnant polarization coupled with a poled
ferroelectric material. The apparatus may also include a pair of
electrical contacts disposed on opposite sides of the poled
ferroelectric material and the high nuclear magnetic spin or high
remnant polarization material. Further, a magnetic field may be
applied to the high nuclear magnetic spin material.
Inventors: |
Burgener, II; Robert H.;
(Murray, UT) ; Renlund; Gary M.; (Salt Lake City,
UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Velos Industries, LLC |
Cheyenne |
WY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
39230914 |
Appl. No.: |
14/286759 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11860444 |
Sep 24, 2007 |
8736151 |
|
|
14286759 |
|
|
|
|
60826968 |
Sep 26, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
310/358 ;
74/DIG.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 41/25 20130101;
Y10T 29/42 20150115; H02N 11/002 20130101; H02N 11/008 20130101;
Y10S 74/09 20130101; H01L 41/1871 20130101; Y10T 29/49002
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
310/358 ;
74/DIG.009 |
International
Class: |
H02N 11/00 20060101
H02N011/00; H01L 41/187 20060101 H01L041/187 |
Claims
1. A thick-film electric generator comprising: a first conductive
sheet; a second conductive sheet; an active powder mixture of a
poled ferroelectric material; and the active powder mixture being
further combined with a high temperature bonding agent in a ratio
sufficient to affix the active powder mixture to both the bottom
and top conductive sheets as a thick film.
2. The electric generator according to claim 1, wherein the active
powder mixture comprises barium titanate.
3. The electric generator according to claim 2, wherein the active
powder mixture further comprises a dopant oxide.
4. The electric generator according to claim 3, wherein the dopant
oxide is selected from the group of praseodymium oxide, manganese
oxide, and lead zirconium titanate oxide.
5. The electric generator according to claim 3, wherein the ratio
of the barium titanate and the dopant oxide within the
ferroelectric material further is between 9:1 and 1:1.
6. The electric generator according to claim 3, wherein the ratio
of the barium titanate and the dopant oxide within the
ferroelectric material further is between 9:1 and 2:1.
7. The electric generator according to claim 3, wherein the ratio
of the barium titanate and the dopant oxide within the
ferroelectric material further is between 9:1 and 5:1.
8. The electric generator according to claim 2, wherein the active
powder mixture further comprises iron powder.
9. The electric generator according to claim 8, wherein the iron
powder is present in the active powder mixture at a concentration
of between 0.1 and 0.3 mole percent.
10. The electric generator according to claim 1, wherein the first
conductive sheet is a high work function material and the second
conductive sheet is a low work function material.
11. The electric generator according to claim 1, wherein the first
conductive sheet is at least 50% thicker than the second conductive
sheet.
12. The electric generator according to claim 1, wherein the
combination of the active powder mixture and the high temperature
bonding agent creates a thick film layer with sufficient
flexibility to allow the active powder mixture and the first and
second conductive sheets to be rolled.
13. The electric generator according to claim 1, wherein the
combination of the active powder mixture and the high temperature
bonding agent creates a thick film layer of between 0.5 and 50
mils.
14. A method of manufacturing a thick-film electric generator
system comprising the following: mixing an active powder mixture
containing a ferroelectric material with a high temperature bonding
agent to create a spreadable slurry paste; applying the slurry
paste in between a first and a second conductive sheet to create a
thick-film electric generator system; attaching electric leads to
both the first and second conductive sheets poling the
ferroelectric material utilizing heat above 100.degree. C.,
electric potential above 500,000 volts per meter between the first
and second conductive sheet and amperage of less than 100
milliamperes; and sealing the thick-film electric generator system
with the electric leads extending out through the seal.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the poling of the
ferroelectric material further occurs in a vacuum.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the spreadable slurry
paste further contains a solvent.
17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the slurry paste is
applied between the first and second conductive sheets by screen
printing the slurry paste onto at least one of the first and second
conductive sheets.
18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the slurry paste is
applied between the first and second conductive sheets by painting
the slurry paste onto at least one of the first and second
conductive sheets.
19. The method according to claim 14, wherein iron powder is also
added into the spreadable slurry paste.
20. The method according to claim 14, wherein the applied slurry
paste creates a thick film layer with sufficient flexibility to
allow the thick-film electric generator system to be rolled.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/860,444, filed Sep. 24, 2007, set to issue
as U.S. Pat. No. 8,736,151 on May 27, 2014, entitled ELECTRIC
GENERATOR, which claims priority to, and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/826,968, filed Sep. 26, 2006,
entitled GENERATING ELECTRICITY FROM NUCLEAR MAGNETIC SPIN. All of
the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein in their
respective entireties by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This application relates to methods, apparatus, and
compositions for the generation of electricity. In particular, it
relates to method, apparatus, and compositions which employ the
mechanisms of nuclear magnetic spin generation (NMSG) and/or
remnant polarization electric generation (RPEG) to produce
electricity.
[0003] Readily available and portable supplies of electric power
are critical to almost every aspect of modern life. Electric power
drives a wide assortment of devices that have become key to
functioning in modern society. These devices range from electric
lights and appliances in the home, to highly technical devices used
in fields such as medicine, manufacturing, military, and scientific
research.
[0004] In many applications it is critical to have portable sources
of electricity. These needs are conventionally met by the use of
batteries of various types. Batteries are, of course, used to start
automobiles and trucks, and are also used to power electrical
devices that must be moved. These devices range from flashlights to
cellular telephones and laptop computers.
[0005] Electrical power has both large and very small applications.
On the large scale, electricity is generated by large scale
electric generators and distributed over distribution lines to
ultimate users. At the small scale, small electrical charges are
involved in operating electronic circuits and memory devices that
are ubiquitous in modern life. Each of these devices and systems
requires a reliable and controlled source of electricity.
[0006] One of the major technical problems involving portable
electronic devices is the providing of reliable and consistent
sources of portable power. As mentioned above, this is generally
accomplished by the use of batteries. However, batteries are
problematic. Battery power has always been a major issue in the use
of devices such as laptop computers. Battery life is a concern, as
is the reliability of battery power.
[0007] A further problem encountered with battery power is
providing a sufficient supply of batteries to remote locations.
This can be appreciated by consideration of, as an example,
military operations. Military operations require a huge array of
electronic devices. These devices range from laptop computers and
related devices to cellular telephones and other communications
systems. They also, of course, involve military equipment and
weaponry which employ electronic components. Operations of this
nature rely heavily on such portable electronic devices. In order
to power such devices, batteries must be provided and constantly
replaced in order to make sure that all equipment is constantly
functional. It will be appreciated that it is a major logistic
problem to simply provide adequate battery power to a major
military operation. Large quantities of batteries must constantly
be supplied and removed from sources of supply to the field.
[0008] The same is true other types of operations in the fields of
business, medicine, and research. As mentioned above, all of these
fields rely heavily on portable electronic devices. All of those
devices require a portable source of electric power. Providing that
power has been a major challenge.
[0009] Thus, the present invention relates to new methods,
apparatus, and compositions for generating electric power and, if
desired, providing that power in a portable format. This is
accomplished through the use of nuclear magnetic spin (NMSG) and
remnant polarization electric generation (RPEG), which will be
discussed briefly below.
[0010] It is known that any nucleus with a non-zero spin quantum
number, placed in a magnetic field can absorb and emit energy
through electromagnetic radiation. This radiation can be detected
by using the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance. Use with a
hydrogen nucleus, or proton, is the earliest and most common NMR
method; principally used to investigate organic compounds. A
nucleus of hydrogen, with a spin of I=1/2, spins around its axis
and generates a magnetic field. When this nucleus is placed in an
external magnetic field, the hydrogen nucleus tends to align with
the external magnetic field. The alignment can be parallel or
anti-parallel with the external field, because the spinning can be
thought of as the spinning of a toy top that spins slightly off
axis and is known by the term precession. The frequency of
precession is termed the Larmor frequency (w). The Larmor frequency
is dependent on the strength of the external magnetic field and the
magnetic properties of the material. In this case, a hydrogen
nucleus has a Larmor frequency of 42.6 MHz per external magnetic
field strength of 1 tesla. A radio frequency tuned to the magnetic
field strength can cause the nucleus to flip from an anti-parallel
state to a parallel state, thus releasing a small amount of energy
that can be detected. The radio frequency varies with the
environment surrounding the hydrogen nucleus, thereby giving
information about the chemical surroundings of the hydrogen
nucleus.
[0011] As described above, a hydrogen nucleus has a spin I=1/2.
Other elements have larger spins than 1/2. Further, atomic nuclei
are known to possess a positive charge, Ze, where Z is the atomic
number, which distinguishes one element from another, and where e
is the magnitude of charge of an electron or proton. Elements also
have mass, M, which can vary from one isotope to another. Nuclei
may also possess spin, a magnetic dipole moment, .mu., an
electrical quadruple moment and occasionally higher moments.
Intrinsic nuclear angular momenta are quantized and may be
expressed as I where I is an integer or half-integer and is called
the spin quantum number. For example, a nucleus for which I=3/2 is
said to have a spin of 3/2. I may be different for different
isotopes. There is a restriction on the spin that nuclei can
possess. For nuclei with an even mass number, I must be an integer
or zero whereas nuclei with an odd mass number, I must be a
half-integer. Table 1, below, shows some common nuclear properties
including spins for selected isotopes.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Spin Properties of Selected Isotopes Some
Nuclear Properties Magnetic Resonance Moment in Frequency in
Quadrupole Nuclear KHz per Moment, Q. Nucleus Spin I Magnetons
Oersted Field Units 10.sup.-24 cm.sup.2 H 1/2 2.79 4.26 -- D 1 0.86
0.65 0.0028 .sup.4He 0 -- -- -- .sup.12C 0 -- -- -- .sup.13C 1/2
0.70 1.07 -- .sup.14N 1 0.40 0.31 0.02 .sup.16O 0 -- -- -- .sup.19F
1/2 2.63 4.01 -- .sup.23Na 3/2 2.22 1.13 0.1 .sup.31P 1/2 1.13 1.72
-- .sup.32S 0 -- -- -- .sup.35Cl 3/2 0.82 0.42 -0.08 .sup.37Cl 3/2
0.68 0.35 -0.06 .sup.39K 3/2 0.39 0.20 0.07 .sup.79Br 3/2 2.10 1.07
0.33 .sup.81Br 3/2 2.26 1.15 0.28 .sup.127I 5/2 2.79 0.85 -0.75
[0012] If a nucleus has a spin of zero, then all of its moments are
zero and no nuclear orientational effects arise. If the spin is 1/2
or greater then the nucleus possesses a magnetic moment, .mu.. In
this property, the nucleus resembles any rotating charge. The
nucleus may be thought of as having a little magnet whose direction
is fixed parallel to the spin axis. A negative moment means that
the magnetic moment vector is opposite to the spin vector. The unit
of measure to express nuclear moments is the nuclear magneton,
which is e/2.pi.Mc. In this case, M is the mass of a proton. One
nuclear magneton=5.times.10.sup.-24 erg/Gauss. A nucleus with a
spin of 1 or greater possesses an electrical quadrapole moment. The
angular momentum vector of a nucleus can have 2I+1 directions in
space. These directions in space are often characterized by a
resolved angular momentum along a specified direction. The resolved
momentum is given by M.sub.I and have the values of I, I-1, I-2, .
. . -I+1, -I. For the common case of I=1/2 M.sub.I=+1/2 or -1/2,
transitions are allowed but the energy difference is so small that
it is effectively not observed. But, in a magnetic field, there is
an additional energy that must be considered. This is analogous to
the energy required to move a compass needle away from the
direction it is pointing. The energy is -.mu.H cos .theta., where H
is the magnitude of the magnetic field. The energy of the magnetic
field set the upper limit of electrical energy that can be
extracted from the generator proposed in this disclosure.
[0013] There is a frequency associated with the transition between
M.sub.I=-1/2 to +1/2. That frequency is given by
hv=-(.mu./I)H(-1/2-1/2). This frequency is related to the energy
required to "flip" the spin from (+) to (-) or in more correct
terms, the orientational potential energy when the dipole is
parallel to the field is the (-) term and it is the (+) when the
dipole is antiparallel to the field. The energy is always 2.times.
the magnitude of the dipole spin. An example of this calculation is
given below. This equation may be written in terms of the
magnetogyric ratio, .gamma., where .gamma.=.mu./I or
.omega.=2.lamda..mu.=.gamma.H radians/second. Table 1 has a column
showing the Resonance Frequency (Larmor Frequency) for transitions
in a magnetic field of 1 Oersted.
[0014] Ferroelectricity is an electrical phenomenon whereby certain
materials may exhibit a spontaneous dipole moment the direction of
which can be switched between equivalent states by the application
of an external electric field. The internal electric dipoles of a
ferroelectric material are physically tied to the material lattice
so anything that changes the physical lattice will change the
strength of the dipoles and cause a charge to flow into or out of
the ferroelectric material (see discussion below) even without the
presence of an external voltage across the capacitor. Two stimuli
that will change the lattice dimensions of a material are force and
temperature. The generation of a charge in response to the
application of a force to a ferroelectric material is called
piezoelectricity. The generation of current in response to a change
in temperature is called pyroelectricity.
[0015] The term ferroelectricity is used in analogy to
ferromagnetism, in which a material exhibits a permanent magnetic
moment. Ferromagnetism was already known when ferroelectricity was
discovered. Thus, the prefix "ferro", meaning iron, was used to
describe the property despite that fact that most ferroelectric
materials do not have iron in their lattice. For some
ferroelectrics iron acts as a contaminant limiting ferroelectric
properties.
[0016] Placing a ferroelectric material between two conductive
plates creates a ferroelectric capacitor. Ferroelectric capacitors
exhibit nonlinear properties and usually have very high dielectric
constants. The fact that the internal electric dipoles can be
forced to change their direction by the application of an external
voltage gives rise to hysteresis, in the "polarization vs. voltage"
property of the capacitor. See FIG. 7 for an example of the general
shape of the hysteresis loop. In this case, polarization is defined
as the total charge stored on the plates of the capacitor divided
by the area of the plates. Independent of crystal structure,
domains similar to those seen in ferromagnetic domains are also
seen in ferroelectrics. Within a given domain there is a vector
pointing in the direction of the dipoles. In a given bulk material
containing many single crystal grains there may be a ferroelectric
domain and a domain wall separating orientational vectors from each
other. In poled ferroelectrics most of the domain vectors line up
in the direction imposed by the external electric field.
[0017] One application for this hysteresis and ferroelectric
capacitance is for memory in computer applications. Other
applications use the combined properties of memory,
piezoelectricity, and pyroelectricity to make some of the most
useful technological devices in modern society. Ferroelectric
capacitors are used in medical ultrasound machines (the capacitors
generate and then listen for the ultrasound "ping" used to image
the internal organs of a body), high quality infrared cameras (the
infrared image is projected onto a two dimensional array of
ferroelectric capacitors capable of detecting temperature
differences as small as millionths of a degree Celsius), fire
sensors, sonar, vibration sensors, and even fuel injectors on
diesel engines. Engineers use the high dielectric constants of
ferroelectric materials to concentrate large values of electrical
charge into small volumes, resulting in the very small surface
mount capacitors. Without the space savings allowed by surface
mount capacitors, compact laptop computers and cell phones simply
would not be possible. The electro-optic modulators that form the
backbone of the Internet are made with ferroelectric materials.
[0018] It is apparent that a need exists in the art for the
production of electricity more effectively and efficiently. There
is a particular need for the production of electricity in a manner
that can power portable electrical devices. The methods, apparatus,
and compositions disclosed below provide for the production of
electricity and the production of such electricity in a portable
fashion, if desired.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention relates to methods, apparatus, and
compositions for the generation of electricity employing phenomena
such as nuclear magnetic spin (NMSG) and remnant polarization
electric generation (RPEG). Generators of this nature are observed
to repeatedly and reliably charge and to provide a consistent
output of electricity. Such generators may be employed on a large
scale to generate large quantities of electrical power for
distribution through an electric distribution network. They may
also be used on a very small scale, such as power sources for
portable electrical devices such as laptop computers and cellular
telephones. Such generators could also be used on an even smaller
scale to power individual circuit components within an electrical
circuit. Thus, it will be appreciated that the generators disclosed
herein may be scaled to the desired application.
[0020] It will be appreciated that an electron in motion, within a
magnetic field, is an electrical generator. This is a conventional
definition for an electrical generator. The present invention
provides for apparatus, compositions, and methods for generating
electricity from two alternate sources.
[0021] As mentioned above, the first employs nuclear magnetic spin
(NMSG), a natural property of many elements, to generate
electricity. If NMS results in a large spin angular momentum, then
electrons, in outer orbitals, are induced to move in an oscillating
motion due to positive coulomb forces emanating from the nucleus.
The electric generator, within the scope of the present invention,
spontaneously and continuously produces an electrical charge from
the NMS of the element.
[0022] The second means of generating electrical energy is quite
similar to the first method, but uses the outer electrons bound in
ferroelectric crystals, such as lead zirconium titanate, known
previously to produce electricity by the piezoelectric effect. In
the situation described below, this material spontaneously and
continuously produces voltage and small amounts of current.
[0023] Both embodiments of this invention are principally interface
or area devices. This means that the electricity can be more
efficiently produced in thin layers with large areas.
[0024] The first method uses the nuclear magnetic spin properties
discussed above has been used successfully for many decades in the
area of spectroscopy and imaging. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
is a spectrographic technique used initially to determine the
structure of organic molecules using the spin of the hydrogen
nucleus. Later this technique was used to determine the structure
or special orientation of inorganic materials, such as amorphous
and crystalline solids, using the spin of the isotopes of oxygen
and silicon, O.sup.17, .sup.19F, .sup.23N, .sup.31P, and Si.sup.29.
Later the NMR spectroscopy techniques were extended to the area of
imaging, as in the now familiar magnetic resonance imaging,
MRI.
[0025] In one embodiment, an electric generator using NMS employs
the combination of two materials in contact with each other. While
the first material could potentially be a wide variety of elements,
it is generally desirable for the material to have the following
properties: a) a high nuclear magnetic spin, or large dipole
moment; b) a large electrical quadrupole moment, which means that
there is a large non-spherical shape to the nucleus; c) a high
degree of natural abundance; d) for commercial applications, the
isotope should not be radioactive, but for space-based or military
applications the restrictions on radioactivity might be relaxed; e)
a natural frequency or Larmor frequency that describes the rate of
precession associated with the isotope; f) the combination of the
dipole moment, quadrupole moment, and Larmor frequency causes a
coulombic interaction with outer electrons of the isotope. These
outer electrons will move in response to the non-spherical shape of
the nucleus. The larger the movement of these outer electrons the
larger will be the electrical impact on the second material, a
ferroelectric.
[0026] The second material will respond to the frequency of motion
of the nuclear magnetic material, much like a piezoelectric
material will respond to the mechanical motion that imparts an
electrical charge. Generally, these materials will possess a high
dielectric constant for the storage of charge. High piezoelectric
constants are desired for this material selection.
[0027] The magnetic field is required for the nuclear magnetic
material to precess at the Larmor frequency. The frequency of
precession is tied to the strength of the magnetic field.
[0028] The combination of a nuclear magnetic material and a
ferroelectric, both in a magnetic field require that this type of
device be enlarged by the area of contact of the two materials. The
larger the area of contact between the two materials, the more
power can be generated at the interface of the device.
[0029] A device can also be provided which is believed to operate
on the principles of RPEG. The efficiency of remnant ferroelectric
generator can be summarized as follows. A poled ferroelectric
crystal may be obtained by first heating the material above the
T.sub.c. Then applying a sufficiently large (greater than the
coercive force) external electric field and cooling the
ferroelectric material below T.sub.c. When the electric field is
removed and the material is cooled to room temperature the maximum
polarization is realized. Over time the polarization may or may not
decay depending on the stability of the material. This resulting
polarization is termed "remnant polarization." See FIG. 8 for a
diagram of remnant polarization.
[0030] In some cases the remnant polarization may remain the same
as the spontaneous polarization. For the maximum output of the
remnant polarization generator, it is desirable to use a material
that has a high, stable, predictable remnant polarization. This is
accomplished by retaining stable ferroelectric domains in between
electrodes. In this case the thickness of each layer may be a
significant variable. This is due to the alignment of ferroelectric
domain vectors that may be more efficiently distributed in
3-dimensions rather than the interactions that occur at the
interface in the nuclear magnetic spin generator.
[0031] One significant difference between the RPEG and
ferroelectric memory is the necessary switching of the
ferroelectric domains. Most memory materials are optimized for
rapid switching and stability over many, >10.sup.6 cycles. The
stability of the remnant polarization over temperature extremes
that are likely to be encountered by electronic devices. Other
significant variables include the growth orientation of the
ferroelectric crystals and whether the material is ferroelectric or
antiferroelectric.
[0032] An antiferroelectric state is defined as one in which lines
of ions in a crystal are spontaneously polarized, but with
neighboring lines polarized in antiparallel directions. In simple
cubic lattices the antiferroelectric state is likely to be more
stable than the ferroelectric state. The dielectric constant above
and below the antiferroelectric Curie point is investigated for
both first and second-order transitions. In either case the
dielectric constant need not be very high; but if the transition is
second order, s is continuous across the Curie point. The
antiferroelectric state will not be piezoelectric. The thermal
anomaly near the Curie point will be of the same nature and
magnitude as in ferroelectrics. A susceptibility variation of the
form C/(T+e) as found in strontium titanate is not indicative of
antiferroelectricity, unlike the corresponding situation in
antiferromagnetism.
[0033] The selection of a ferroelectric material can come from two
categories of materials, the more common displacive type of which
BaTiO.sub.3 is prototypical. The magnitude of displacive movement
of ions is described elsewhere. And the order-disorder type where
polar molecules line up to create a large dipole moment, such as
polymer like poly-vinylidene fluoride.
[0034] While there are dissimilarities between the two types of
generators, there are some similarities which might improve the
efficiency of both types of devices. In the electrical generation
cycle, the supply of charge could be enhanced by providing a
continuous supply of electrons. An earth ground is known to be a
supply of electrons. Both devices also depend on electrodes to
carry the current. Sometimes, as shown in the Examples, the active
element may also serve as an electrode. An enhancement to the
operation of the devices would be the use of high surface area
electrodes. Carbon and ruthenium oxide have previously been used in
the fabrication of capacitors to either increase the stored charge
or reduce the size of the devices. More efficient electrodes can be
selected from those that impart an n-type or p-type behavior
depending on polarity.
[0035] Electric generators within the scope of the present
invention can be fabricated using a number of known techniques.
These may include three separate groupings, namely thin-film
fabrication methods; thick-film fabrication methods; and bulk
processing. Thin-file methods may include, but are not limited to,
CVD, MOCVD, ion assisted sputtering, laser ablation, MBE, and
spin-on liquids. Thick-film methods may include, but are not
limited to screen printing, tape casting, polymerization coatings,
bulk processing, pressing, and hot-pressing
[0036] It will be appreciated that electric generators within the
scope of the present invention may be used to provide constant
electric current sufficient to "trickle charge" batteries and
capacitors which power a wide variety of electronic devices, such
as cell phones, PDAs, notebook computers, GPS devices, portable
music players, flashlights, remote control devices, radios and
communication devices, and so forth. Other electric generators may
provide power for discrete circuit board chips and medical
applications, such as medical implants for pacemakers and
electrical stimulation for pain management.
[0037] Electric generators within the scope of the present
invention may be fabricated at a sufficient scale to provide
stand-alone electric power generation for remote locations, homes,
businesses, automobiles, boats, and so forth. Military applications
may include electric generators for satellites, space probes, and
field applications.
[0038] These and other features and advantages of the present
disclosure may be incorporated into electrical generation devices,
methods, and compositions and will become more fully apparent from
the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by
the practice and implementation of the present disclosure. As
described above, the present disclosure does not require that all
of the features described herein be incorporated into every
embodiment nor is it required that certain features be used
exclusive of other features. Electrical generation devices,
compositions, and methods within the scope of the present
disclosure may include one or more combinations of the features
described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0039] In order that the above-recited and other features and
advantages of the disclosure may be readily understood, a more
particular description is provide below with reference to the
appended drawings. These drawings depict only exemplary embodiments
of vascular access devices according to the present disclosure and
are not therefore to be considered to limit the scope of the
disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 1 is a graph of measured magnetic dipole moments of
even-N, odd-Z nuclei and of odd-N and even-Z nuclei.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a nucleus with
even-N and odd-Z, shown on the left side, and a nucleus with odd-N
and even-Z, shown on the right side.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the geometry of an
oscillating nucleus.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a ferroelectric
material having aligned dipoles.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an electric
generator within the scope of the present invention
[0045] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an electric
generator within the scope of the present invention employing
multiple layers of materials.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating the general shape of the
hysteresis loop.
[0047] FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating remnant polarization.
[0048] FIGS. 9 (a) and (b) are schematic representations of
electric generators within the scope of the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a large area/multi
stack electric generator within the scope of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0050] It will be readily understood that the components of the
present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in the
figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of
different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed
description, as represented in the figures, is not intended to
limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely a representative
of exemplary combinations of the components.
[0051] As discussed above, one aspect of the present invention is
the production of an electric generation device by the application
of NMS. As set forth in FIG. 1, the spin of the nucleus can be
defined by odd and even designations. The top graph in FIG. 1 shows
the measured magnetic dipole moments of even-N, odd-Z nuclei. Z is
the atomic number, and N is the number of neutrons in an atom or
isotope. The upper Schmidt line is the predicted values if the spin
and orbital angular momenta of the odd proton are parallel to each
other. The lower Schmidt line is the predicted values if the spin
and orbital angular momenta of the odd proton are anti-parallel to
each other. The lower graph shows the measured magnetic dipole
moments of odd-N, even-Z nuclei.
[0052] Nuclei with spin >1 also possess electrical quadrupole
moments, which are linked to the spin axis, and give rise to energy
terms when they are in electric field gradients, especially those
derived from valence electrons. For nuclei, the electrical dipole
moments are zero and the primary electrical term, apart from the
charge itself, is the electrical quadrupole moment. This may be
thought of as describing the non-spherical shape of the nuclei. The
spin axis is necessarily an axis of cylindrical symmetry, but the
nucleus may be elongated along the polar axis, in which case the
quadrupole moment is positive. Conversely, some nuclei are
flattened at the poles, with an elongated equatorial axis, when the
moment is negative. See FIG. 2 for a diagram of these two
geometries. The equation, Q=the integral of .rho.r.sup.2(3
cos.sup.2 .theta.-1)d.tau., is a definition of the quadrapole
moment Q, .rho. is the charge density per unit volume, r is the
distance of the volume element, dt from the origin and theta is the
angle between the radius vector and the spin quantization axis. Q
has the dimensions of length squared.
[0053] The nuclear quadrupole moment interacts with the gradients
of the electric field, E, in which it is situated. These gradients
are the second derivatives of the electric potential, V. These
quantities are commonly denoted by q with appropriate subscripts to
indicate the directions. The z direction is taken as the maximum
field gradient. This is an issue that increases efficiency of
charge generation.
[0054] The even spin numbers have larger values when compared with
the odd values. The even designations can be modeled as shown below
in FIG. 2. A nucleus with even-N and odd-Z is shown on the left of
FIG. 2, and a nucleus with odd-N and even-Z is shown on the
right.
[0055] It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the nuclear magnetic spin is
a measure of the non-spherical geometry of the nucleus. The larger
values for the spin the more non-spherical the nucleus. The nuclei
with the largest angular momentum will come from the properties
shown in the right hand diagram, a nucleus with odd-N and
even-Z.
[0056] In order to take advantage of the largest angular momentum
and convert that motion into an oscillating electron one must
consider the influence that nuclear oscillations have on an
electron. FIG. 3 shows the geometry of an oscillating nucleus.
[0057] There is no way for the system to dissipate the
orientational potential energy .DELTA.E, for a magnetic dipole
moment in a magnetic field. Then the magnetic dipole moment cannot
align itself with the magnetic field. Instead, the magnetic dipole
moment will precess around the B field axis. The precessional
motion is a consequence of torque (T) acting on the dipole. The
following equation gives the magnitude of the angular frequency of
precession of .mu..sub.1 about B.
.omega. = g .mu. b B Equation 1 ##EQU00001##
[0058] This phenomenon is known as the Larmor precession and
.omega. is the Larmor frequency.
The torque T=.mu..sub.1.times.B. Equation 2
[0059] Some of the notations have changed from the earlier
discussion. This comes from the figures and notation differences
from the reference books. But, one should be able to discern where
the notations change; i.e. 1 used earlier is from reference 1 and
is equivalent to the .mu..sub.1 used in reference 2.
[0060] The Bohr magneton is given by the following equation.
.mu. b = e 2 m Equation 3 ##EQU00002##
[0061] Equation 4 gives the average force acting on the magnetic
dipole.
F z _ = .differential. B z .differential. z .mu. l z Equation 4
##EQU00003##
[0062] The net effect of these equations is that with a
precessional motion of a nucleus that has a non-spherical shape, in
particular one that has an elongated "equator," there is a
non-spherical distribution of positive charge within the nucleus.
This positive charge distribution has a coulomb effect on the
electrons, especially valence electrons, whose motion in a magnetic
field will generate a spontaneous, continuous charge on a
ferroelectric or capacitor-like material.
[0063] The magnitude of energy that can be generated is
approximated by 2 .mu..sub.1B. This equation corresponds with the
amount of energy required to flip a magnetic dipole within a
magnetic field from a parallel orientation with the B field to the
antiparallel orientation with the B field. If we assume that, the
magnetic field is 1 tesla and we are using one mole of praseodymium
whose magnetic spin is 5/2 then the amount of energy derived from
this example is about 27.8 Joules. The following example using
praseodymium shows how this number was obtained.
[0064] The energy to align a dipole is given by the equation
.DELTA.E=.mu..sub.1B; where .mu..sub.1 is the nuclear magnetic
moment (5/2) for praseodymium and is B is the magnetic field
strength which we are assuming to be 1 tesla. Then 2 times the
.mu..sub.1 gives the total energy required for alignment with and
against the magnetic field. We then have for the energy
E=2(5/2)0.927.times.10.sup.23 amp-m.sup.2.times.1 Joule/amp-m.sup.2
or 4.635.times.10.sup.-23 Joules/atom. The number
0.927.times.10.sup.-23 ampm.sup.2 is the value of a Bohr magneton.
Now we have the energy liberated when a praseodymium nucleus
changes its spin from being oriented parallel with the magnetic
field to antiparallel with the magnetic field. For 1 mole of atoms,
the energy liberated is E=4.635.times.10.sup.-23
Joules/atom.times.6.022.times.10.sup.23 atoms/mole=27.9
Joules/mole. A Joule.times.second is a watt, so the amount of
energy that we could potentially liberate from a mole of
praseodymium is 27.9 watts.
[0065] There are several vibrational modes within atoms and
molecules. Most vibrational modes are in the microwave range and
higher, such as thermal vibrations (.about.10.sup.13 Hz at room
temperature), electron motions, etc. Some vibrations are measured
in the megahertz range and below. These vibrations can be
advantageous for the generation of electricity. Examples of these
types of devices are those based on piezoelectric properties, such
as those seen in igniters; and pyroelectric generators, which use a
difference in temperature to generate a charge. The Larmor
frequency of precession described above are usually measured in the
0.1 to 20 megahertz range. This is a frequency that can be used
because it corresponds with the frequencies of electronic
components to generate a charge, as in the case of other atomic
vibrations. The advantage of this frequency range is that it has
not been previously exploited. And, this frequency range is within
the range where external electronic circuits can be used to
optimize the internal harmonic vibrations. The use of external
circuits would allow for the extraction of AC currents from DC
currents from the interaction of the piezoelectric crystal.
Building a device from this example one could construct large area
devices similar to capacitor structures given by the following
equations and discussion. A capacitance equation is given by
C=k.di-elect cons..sub.0 Area/thickness Equation 5
[0066] Where C is the capacitance, .di-elect cons..sub.0 is the
permittivity of free space, and k is the dielectric constant of a
material between electrodes.
[0067] Also,
C=q/V Equation 6
[0068] And, solving for the voltage we get the following
equation
V=(q.times.d)/k.di-elect cons..sub.0 Area Equation 7
And
E=1/2CV.sup.2 Equation 8
[0069] These equations relate to optimization of the design of a
device. The device should have layers that are as thin as possible
and the area should be large. An alternative design may incorporate
high nuclear magnetic spin atoms within a ferroelectric host. The
virtue of this design is that it would have the most intimate
contact between the spin material and the ferroelectric
material.
[0070] Ferroelectricity is characterized by a permanent electrical
dipole moment in a crystal. In a ferroelectric material, the
dipoles are randomized within the solid structure. With poling,
there is an alignment of dipoles. Poled ferroelectric materials are
preferred. This alignment of dipoles is schematically shown in the
FIG. 4. In principle, the electric generator within the scope of
the invention should have a large surface area. One way of
obtaining a large surface area is to fabricate the electric
generator with multiple layers, and the layers should be as thin as
possible. Many commercially available ferroelectrics have the
perovskite structure.
[0071] Ferroelectric thin films are known for use in nonvolatile
ferroelectric random access memory (NV-FRAM) devices. Various
techniques for fabricating ferroelectric films are known. One such
method includes thin film deposition techniques, such as sputtering
or MOCVD, which produce amorphous films, followed by annealing.
Typically, crystallization progresses through intermediate phases.
For example, when annealing lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT), the
pyrochlore phase forms first followed by the perovskite phase.
[0072] Table 2 lists characteristics of some ferroelectric
materials. The term P.sub.s represents a measure of ferroelectric
material's surface charge density or its ability to store
charge.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Characteristics of Some Ferroelectric
Materials P.sub.s Material T.sub.c (K) (uC/cm.sup.2).sup.a Ammonium
dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) 148 0.sup.b NH.sub.4H.sub.2PO.sub.4
Barium cobalt fluoride c BaCoF.sub.4 Barium titanate (183) (278)
(393) ~20 BaTiO.sub.3 Boracite 538 0.05 Mg.sub.3B.sub.7O.sub.13Cl
Guanidinium aluminum sulfate d 3.5 hexahydrate (GASH)
C(NH.sub.2).sub.3Al(SO.sub.4).sub.2.cndot.6H.sub.2O Lead titanate
763 ~75 PbTiO.sub.3 Lead zirconate 503 0.sup.b PbZrO.sub.3 Lithium
niobate 1473 71 LiNbO.sub.3 Lithium tantalite 938 50 LiTaO.sub.3
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) 123 5.sup.e KH.sub.2PO.sub.4
Rochelle salt (255) (297) 0.25.sup.f
NaKC.sub.4H.sub.40.sub.6.cndot.4H.sub.2O Sodium niobate (73) (627)
0.sup.b NaNbO.sub.3 Terbium molybdate (TMO) 436 0.2
Tb.sub.2(MoO.sub.4).sub.3 Triglycine sulfate (TGS) 322 2.8
(NH.sub.2CH.sub.2COOH).sub.3.cndot.H.sub.2SO.sub.4 .sup.a(10.sup.-2
coulombs/m.sup.2) Values of P.sub.s are for single crystals at room
temperature .sup.bAntiferroelectric at room temperature c Melts
below T.sub.c d Decomposes at about 273 K .sup.eAt 100 K .sup.fAt
280 K
[0073] Electrical Generator Structure
[0074] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the basic
components of an electric generator within the scope of the present
invention. The electric generator includes a first material with
high nuclear magnetic spin or high remnant polarization, and a
poled ferroelectric material closely associated with the first
material. As used herein, a material with high nuclear magnetic
spin will have a spin of 1/2 or greater. This means that the
nucleus of the atom is flattened or elongated. Materials with
higher spin values will enable greater power generation. The spin
should not be so high that radioactivity occurs, except in those
applications that are strictly controlled. Examples of high nuclear
magnetic spin materials are shown in FIG. 1. High spin isotopes
with high natural abundance that also possess "odd" spin
characteristics are preferred. The elements, Pr, Mn, and Mg are
presently preferred. As used herein, the term "closely associated"
includes adjacent layered materials and mixed materials.
[0075] The high nuclear magnetic spin material and ferroelectric
material are disposed between electrical contacts. The electrical
contacts may be metallic materials. In a presently preferred
embodiment, one electrical contact is an acceptor material, such as
tantalum, gold, platinum or other known acceptor materials. The
other electrical contact is a donor material, such as a high work
function material. Examples of high work function materials
include, but are not limited to, silver (4.64 eV), Ni (5.22 eV),
aluminum (4.20 eV), and tantalum (4.15 eV). Some examples of low
work function metals include, but are not limited to the alkali
metals such as sodium (2.36 eV) or the rare earth metals such as
europium (2.5 eV).
[0076] A magnetic field is applied to the high nuclear magnetic
spin material. The magnetic field can be introduced by adding a
magnetic material internally to the overall composition of the
device or the magnetic field can be applied externally. The
strength of the magnetic field may affect the coupling efficiency
of the device. Preferably the magnetic field may be tuned for
harmonic resonance to optimize device performance. The typical
strength of an effective magnetic field that may be used with the
invention may range between 0.01 Tesla and 10 Tesla.
[0077] For a generator within the scope of the invention to be used
continuously, an inductor, which stores charge for a short time,
may be required for optimal performance. The time of charge storage
is determined by the capacitance and the inductance of each power
element. The combination of the capacitance and the inductance
gives a time constant typical of LC circuits. The capacitance and
inductance will change for each application. For intermittent use,
the need for the inductor is less important. For continuous use, in
each power element there should be an inductor either built into
the device or integrated externally.
[0078] The schematic device shown in FIG. 5 can be implemented
using thick or thin-film processes or combinations of the two.
Examples of thick-film processes are described in the following
sections. But, thin-film processes can be implemented to optimize
the size and performance of the device.
[0079] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a multiple layer device
within the scope of the present invention. Several layers of
material are layered one on top of the other. As with the device
illustrated in FIG. 5, this device includes layers of a first
material with either with high nuclear magnetic spin or high
remnant polarization, designated 1, and a poled ferroelectric
material, designated 2, closely associated with the first material.
Also illustrated in FIG. 6 is a layer of magnetic material 3
disposed adjacent to a least one of the layers of poled
ferroelectric material or first material Electrical contacts are
provided in order to collect voltage output from the multi-layer
device. In addition, an inductor, as discussed above, is
illustrated.
[0080] FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of larger "multi
stack" devices. Once again, these devices are comprised of multiple
layers of the materials discussed herein.
[0081] FIGS. 9a and 9b show schematics of a ferroelectric generator
using high surface area electrodes, such as ruthenium oxide. In
this case the active device is grown on a silicon substrate. FIG.
10 shows a repeating stack of the single unit shown in FIG. 9. With
the use of flexible electrodes and thin-films these stacks can be
rolled for more efficient packing or use of space.
[0082] The following outlines the possible structure of a solid
state electric generator using ferroelectric materials.
[0083] Barium titanate is a typical of a displacive type of
ferroelectric. Polarization causes an ion to be displaced slightly
from its equilibrium position. This leads to an asymmetrical shift
in the equilibrium ion positions and causes the formation of a
permanent dipole moment. In an order-disorder ferroelectric, there
is a dipole moment in each unit cell. At high temperatures, the
dipole vectors point in random directions. For each composition of
ferroelectric material, there is a phase transition temperature
called a critical temperature, denoted by (Tc). If a ferroelectric
at a temperature greater than Tc is cooled in an externally applied
electric field, the dipoles will become ordered with most of the
dipole vectors pointing in the same direction.
[0084] Ferroelectric crystals often show several transition
temperatures and domain structure hysteresis, much as do
ferromagnetic crystals. The nature of the phase transition in some
ferroelectric crystals is still not well understood.
[0085] In 1921 J. Valasek, during an investigation of the anomalous
dielectric properties of Rochelle salt
(NaKC.sub.4H.sub.4O.sub.6.4H.sub.2O) showed that this material
exhibited ferroelectric properties. A second ferroelectric
material, KH.sub.2PO.sub.4, was not found until 1935 and was
followed by some of its isomorphs. The third ferroelectric,
BaTiO.sub.3, was reported by A. von Hippel in 1944. Since then,
about 250 single phase materials and many more mixed crystal
systems having been discovered.
[0086] A crystal is ferroelectric if it has internal dipoles that
can be aligned depending on the application of an external electric
field larger than the coercive forces fixing the dipole vectors in
the crystal. Ps is the saturation polarization, or the largest
degree of alignment of dipoles. Reversal of the dipoles is also
known as switching. The resulting states for each orientation are
energetically and symmetrically equivalent in a zero external
electric field. Crystalline properties, such as the defect
distribution and conductivity, together with temperature, pressure,
and electrode conditions, may affect the ferroelectric reversal.
Most ferroelectrics have characteristic values of P.sub.s and
T.sub.c. Reversal or reorientation of P.sub.s is always the result
of atomic displacement.
[0087] The spontaneous polarization in most ferroelectric crystals
is greatest at temperatures well below T.sub.c and decreases to
zero at T.sub.c. If the high-temperature phase also shows polar
properties, P.sub.s may merely pass through a minimum at T.sub.c;
similarly, if another phase forms at lower temperatures, P.sub.s
may increase, decrease or become zero below that transition.
[0088] The application of a dc field higher than the coercive field
along a direction in a multi-domain ferroelectric crystal results
in the parallel orientation of all P.sub.s vectors. The minimum dc
field required to move domain walls is a measure of the coercive
field. The initial value of P.sub.s in a multi-domain crystal
increases with increasing dc field to a maximum that is
characteristic of the material. Reversing the field reintroduces
domain walls as the sense of P.sub.s in different regions is
reversed. If there is no externally applied field, the crystal will
have a remnant polarization no larger than the spontaneous
polarization, and is usually less than P. At full reverse field,
the final P.sub.s will have magnitude equal to the original full
P.sub.s but of opposite sign. The hysteresis thus observed is a
function of the work required to displace the domain walls and is
closely related both to the defect distribution in the crystal and
to the energy barrier separating the different orientational
states.
[0089] The spontaneous polarization of single-domain materials
usually lays within the range 0.001 C/m.sup.2 to 10 C/m.sup.2
Numerical values are customarily given in units of 10.sup.-2
uC/cm.sup.2. The magnitude of P.sub.s in a single crystal is
directly related to the atomic displacements that occur in
ferroelectric reversal and may be calculated from the atomic
positions within the unit cell, if they are known. If D.sub.i as
the component of the atomic displacement vectors joining the ith
atom positions in the original and reversed orientations along the
direction of P.sub.s, Z.sub.i as the effective charge, and V as the
unit cell volume, then P.sub.s=(1/2V) S.sub.i Z.sub.i D.sub.i. The
spontaneous polarization may be experimentally derived directly
from the charge density obtainable by careful x-ray diffraction
structural measurements.
[0090] The arrangement of the atoms in displacive ferroelectric
crystals is such that small displacements, usually less than 1
.ANG., result in a stable state but with reoriented P.sub.s. The
mid-position arrangement corresponds to a higher symmetry
structure. The orientation of dipoles is not necessarily random,
since dipoles in this state are either all zero or exactly cancel.
A simple example is BaTiO.sub.3 for which the "prototype" crystal
structure is cubic, with barium atoms at the corners, a titanium
atom at the body center and oxygen atoms at center of faces of the
cubic unit cell. Below a Curie temperature of 393 K, the crystal
structure is tetragonal as the titanium atom is displaced by about
0.05 .ANG. from its prototype position along the c-direction and
the oxygen atoms are displaced in the opposite sense by about 0.08
.ANG., as referenced to the barium atom positions. The resulting
displacements give rise to the spontaneous polarization. An
electric field applied along the c axis can displace the titanium
atom by about 0.1 .ANG. and O by about 0.16 .ANG., reverses the
sense of this axis and also that of P.sub.s.
[0091] The relative sense of P.sub.s in a crystal is given by the
charge developed on the polar faces as a single domain crystal is
cooled below T.sub.c. This sense can be related to the atomic
arrangement by making use of the anomalous scattering in an x-ray
diffraction experiment. All known experimental determinations of
the absolute sense of P.sub.s are in agreement with the sense as
calculated from the effective point charge distribution; thus, in
tetragonal BaTiO.sub.3, the absolute sense is given by the
direction from the oxygen layer toward the nearest Ti ion. Once
electric field is turn off and there is no domain change then
P.sub.s is equal to remnant polarization.
[0092] Ferroelectric materials may be divided into three classes on
the basis of the nature of the displacement vectors D.sub.i that
produce reversal of P.sub.8. The one-dimensional class involves
atomic displacements all of which are parallel to the c-axis, as in
the case of tetragonal BaTiO.sub.3. In this class, P.sub.s is about
0.25 C/m.sup.2. The two-dimensional class involves atomic
displacements in a plane containing the polarized axis. An
illustrative example follows using BaCoF.sub.4:
[0093] This perovskite has a range of P.sub.s values ranging from
0.1 C/m.sup.2 to 0.3 C/m.sup.2. The three-dimensional class
involves atomic displacements of similar magnitude in all three
dimensions. A typical example is Tb.sub.2(MoO.sub.4).sub.3. In this
class, P.sub.s is about 0.5 C/m.sup.2.
[0094] Some ferroelectric materials are listed in Table 3.
Potassium di-hydrogen phosphate (KDP) transforms from the
orthorhombic ferroelectric phase to the nonpolar but piezoelectric
tetragonal phase at 123 K. Rochelle salt has two Curie
temperatures, transforming from nonpolar but piezoelectric
orthorhombic at 255 K to ferroelectric monoclinic returning at 297
K to orthorhombic but with a slightly altered structure. Barium
titanate has three ferroelectric phases and three Curie
temperatures: it is rhombohedral below 183 K, another orthorhombic
phase between 183 and 278 K, and tetragonal between 278 and 393 K;
and becomes cubic above 393 K. Sodium niobate transforms from
ferroelectric trigonal to antiferroelectric orthorhombic at 73 K,
to non-polar orthorhombic at 627 K, and to four additional nonpolar
phases at higher temperatures.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Ferroelectric Properties of Selected
Materials Formula T.sub.c (K) P.sub.s (C/m.sup.2).sup.a P.sub.r
(C/m.sup.2) NH.sub.4H.sub.2PO.sub.4 148 0.sup.b BaCoF.sub.4 c 0.8
BaTiO.sub.3 183,278,393 ~0.2 0.15 Mg.sub.3B.sub.7O.sub.13Cl 538
0.0005 BiFeO.sub.3 ~925 ~1.5 0.90 PbTiO.sub.3 63 ~0.75 0.30
PbZrO.sub.3 503 0.sup.b ~0.25 LiNbO.sub.3 1473 0.71 0.01
LiTaO.sub.3 938 0.5 KH.sub.2PO.sub.4 123 0.05.sup.e
SrBi.sub.2Nb.sub.2O.sub.9 0.38 to 0.50 NaNbO.sub.3 73,627 0.sup.b
Tb.sub.2(MoO.sub.4).sub.3 436 0.0002
(NH.sub.2CH.sub.2COOH).sub.3.cndot.H.sub.2SO.sub.4 322 0.028
.sup.aValues of P.sub.s are for single crystals at 25.degree. C.
unless specified otherwise .sup.bAntiferroelectric at room
temperature c. Melts below T.sub.c d. Decomposes at about 273 K
.sup.eDecomposes at 100 K
[0095] A poled ferroelectric crystal may be obtained by first
heating the material above the T.sub.c. Then applying a
sufficiently large (greater than the coercive force) external
electric field and cooling the ferroelectric material below Tc.
When the electric field is removed and the material cooled to room
temperature the maximum polarization is realized. Over time the
polarization may or may not decay depending on the stability of the
material. This resulting polarization is termed "remnant
polarization." In some cases the remnant polarization may remain
the same as the spontaneous polarization. For the maximum output of
the remnant polarization generator, it is desirable to use a
material that has a high, stable, predictable remnant polarization.
This is accomplished by retaining stable ferroelectric domains.
[0096] For an estimation of how much power can be generated by a
layered ferroelectric device, we will use familiar equations and
terms from capacitor concepts. In this case, we would choose one of
the largest remnant polarization materials.
[0097] For example BiFeO.sub.3 grown on ZnO has a Pr of about 0.90
C/m.sup.2. Definitions: [0098] 1 C=coulomb=1 ampere.times.second
[0099] 2 C=1 farad (F).times.volt (V) [0100] 3 joule/second=watt
[0101] 4 joule=1/2 (volt).sup.2.times.coulomb [0102] 5
joule=(C.times.V)/2
[0103] From the above, we can say BiFeO.sub.3 has a Pr of about
0.90 C/m.sup.2.
[0104] If we assume that we have a potential of 20 volts per layer
and from
[0105] Definition 2, we find that there are 0.90 C/m.sup.2/20
volts=0.045 F per layer.
[0106] From Definition 6, we can determine that the generated
energy per layer would be Energy=[20V.times.0.045 Farads]/2=9.0
joules
[0107] If we assume that the charging time (t) for a capacitor is
equivalent to the charging time of the generator, then assume that
the following equation applies; t
(seconds)=ohms.times.capacitance
[0108] Now we need to assume some internal losses, so, if the
internal resistance is about 10 ohms/m.sup.2. Then: 10
ohms.times.0.045 farads=0.45 seconds. Then from Definition 4, we
find that the power is about 9.0 joules/0.45 seconds 20 watts of
continuous power. Then for a complete device with 1,000 layers at
20 watts per layer could yield 20,000 watts. Thus, a continuous
power generator could be produced using the RPEG mechanism.
[0109] Table 4 provides reference information for selected elements
which are candidates for use in the present invention.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Reference Information Natural Half-life/
Nuclear Elect. .gamma.-Energy/ Abundance Atomic Mass or Resonance
Decay Mode/ Particle Energy/ Spin Magnetic Quadr. Intensity Element
(Atom %) Weight Width (MeV) Energy (/MeV) Intensity (MeV/%)
(h/2.pi.) Mom. (nm) Mom. (b) (MeV/%) .sub.1H 1.00794(7) .sup.1H
99.9885(70) 1.007825032 >2.8 .times. 10.sup.23 y 1/2+ +2.79285
.sup.2H 0.0115(70) 2.014101778 1+ +0.85744 +2.86mb .sup.3H
3.016049268 12.33 y .beta..sup.-/0.01859 0.01860/100. 1/2+ +2.97896
.sup.4H 4.0278 .GAMMA..apprxeq.3 n/ /100 2- .sup.5H 5.040 .GAMMA. =
1.9(4) n/ /100 (1/2+) .sup.6H 6.0449 .GAMMA. = 1.6(4) n/ (2-)
.sub.12Mg 24.3050(6) .sup.20Mg 20.01886 96. ms .beta..sup.+/10.73
/70 0+ .beta..sup.+, p /30 .sup.21Mg 21.01171 122. ms .beta..sup.+,
p/13.10 5/2+ 0.332/51. .sup.22Mg 21.999574 3.86 s
.beta..sup.+/4.786 3.05/ 0+ 0.0729/60. 0.5820/100. (1.28-1.93)
.sup.23Mg 22.994125 11.32 s .beta..sup.+/4.057 3.09/92. 3/2+ 0.536
1.25 0.440/8.2 .sup.24Mg 78.99(4) 23.9850419 0+ .sup.25Mg 10.00(1)
24.9858370 5/2+ -0.85545 +0.200 .sup.26Mg 11.01(3) 25.9825930 0+
.sup.27Mg 26.9843407 9.45 m .beta..sup.+/2.6103 1.59/41. 1/2+
0.17068/0.9 1.75/58. 0.84376/72. 2.65/0.3 1.01443/28 .sup.28Mg
27.983877 20.9 h .beta..sup.-/1.832 0.459/95. 0+ 0.0306/95.
0.4006/36. 0.9418/36. 1.342/54. .sup.29Mg 28.98855 1.3 s
.beta..sup.-/7.55 5.4/ 3/2+ 0.960/15. 1.398/16. 2.224/36. .sup.30Mg
29.9905 0.32 s .beta..sup.-/7.0 0+ 0.224/85. .sup.31Mg 30.9966 0.24
s .beta..sup.-/11.7 (3/2+) 1.61/26. .beta..sup.-, n /.apprxeq.6.
.sup.32Mg 31.9992 0.12 s .beta..sup.-/10.3 0+ 2.765/25. .sup.33Mg
33.0056 91. ms .beta..sup.-/13.7 /83. 1.848/ .beta..sup.-, n /17.
.sup.34Mg 34.0091 0.02 s .beta..sup.-/11.3 0+ .sup.35Mg 35.0175
0.07 s (7/2-) .sup.36Mg 36.022 >0.2 .mu.s 0+ .sup.37Mg 37.031
>0.26 .mu.s (7/2-) .sup.38Mg 0+ .sub.23V 50.9415(1) .sup.40V
40.0111 .sup.41V 40.9997 .sup.42V 41.9912 <0.055 .mu.s .sup.43V
42.9807 >0.8 s .beta..sup.+/11.3 .sup.44V 43.9744 0.09 s
.beta..sup.+, .alpha./13.7 ann.rad./ .sup.45V 44.96578 0.54 s
.beta..sup.+/7.13 7/2- .sup.46V 45.960200 0.4223 s
.beta..sup.+/7.051 6.03/100. 0+ ann.rad./ .sup.47V 46.954907 32.6 m
.beta..sup.+, EC/2.928 1.90/99.+ 3/2- ann.rad./ 1.7949(8)/0.19
(0.2-2.16) .sup.48V 47.952254 15.98 d .beta..sup.+/4.012 0.698/50.
4+ 2.01 ann.rad./ 0.9835/100 (1.3-2.4) .sup.49V 48.948517 337. d
EC/0.602 7/2- 4.47 .sup.50V 0.250(4) 49.947163 1.4 .times.
10.sup.17 y EC /82.7 6+ +3.34569 +0.21 .beta..sup.- /17.3 .sup.51V
99.750(4) 50.943964 7/2- +5.148706 -0.04 .sup.52V 51.944780 3.76 m
.beta..sup.-/3.976 2.47/ 3+ 1.4341(1)/100. .sup.53V 52.944342 1.56
m .beta..sup.-/3.436 2.52/ 7/2- 1.0060(5)/90. 1.2891(3)/10.
.sup.54mV 0.9 .mu.s (5+) 0.108/IT .sup.54V 53.94644 49.8 s
.beta..sup.-/7.04 1.00/5. 3+ 0.8348/97. 2.00/12. 0.9887/80.
2.95/45. 2.259/46. 5.20/11. (0.56-3.38) .sup.55V 54.9472 6.5 s
.beta..sup.-/6.0 6.0/ (7/2-) 0.5177/73. (0.224-1.21) .sup.56V
55.9504 0.23 s .beta..sup.-/9.1 0.70/50. 0.34/40. 1.00/30. .sup.57V
56.9524 0.33 s .beta..sup.-/8.1 0.30/60. 0.60/30. 0.80/30. .sup.58V
57.9567 0.20 s .beta..sup.-/11.6 .sup.59V 58.9593 0.13 s
.beta..sup.-/9.9 0.90/80. .sup.60V 59.965 0.20 s .beta..sup.-/14.
0.102-0.208 .sup.61V 60.967 0.04 s 0.646 .sup.62V 61.973
.apprxeq.65 ms .sup.63V 62.977 >0.15 .mu.s .sup.64V >0.15
.mu.s .sub.25Mn 54.938049(9) .sup.44Mn 44.0069 <0.105 .mu.s
.sup.45Mn 44.9945 <0.07 .mu.s .sup.46Mn 45.9867 34. ms
.beta..sup.+/17.1 .beta..sup.+, p //.apprxeq.58 .sup.47Mn 46.9761
.apprxeq.0.1 s .beta..sup.+/12.3 .sup.48Mn 47.9689 0.15 s
.beta..sup.+/13.5 5.79/58. 4+ 4.43/10 .sup.49Mn 48.95962 0.38 s
.beta..sup.+/7.72 6.69/ 5/2- ann.rad./ .sup.50mMn 1.74 m
.beta..sup.+/7.887 3.54/ 5+ ann.rad./ 1.0980/94. 0.783/91.
(0.66-3.11) .sup.50Mn 49.954244 0.283 s .beta..sup.+/7.6330 6.61/
0+ ann.rad./ .sup.51Mn 50.948215 46.2 m .beta..sup.+, EC/3.208 2.2/
5/2- 3.568 0.4 ann.rad./ 0.7491(1)/0.26 (1.148-1.164) .sup.52mMn
21.1 m .beta..sup.+/98/5.09 2.631 2+ 0.0076 ann.rad./ I.T./2./0.378
0.3778 (I.T.) 1.43406(1)/98. (0.7-4.8) .sup.52Mn 51.945570 5.591 d
.beta..sup.+/4.712 0.575/ 6+ +3.063 +0.5 ann.rad./ EC/
0.74421(1)/90. 1.4341/100 .sup.53Mn 52.941294 3.7 .times. 10.sup.6
y EC/0.5970 7/2- 5.024 .sup.54Mn 53.940363 312.1 d EC/1.377 3+
+3.282 +0.33 0.8340/100 6.7 .times. 10.sup.8 y .beta..sup.+ //1.3
.times. 10.sup.-7 .sup.55Mn 100. 54.938049 5/2- +3.4687 +0.32
.sup.56Mn 55.938909 2.579 h .beta..sup.-/3.6954 0.718/18. 3+
+3.2266 0.84675/99 1.028/34. 1.81072(4)/27. 2.113/14.5 .sup.57Mn
56.938287 1.45 m .beta..sup.-/2.691 5/2- .sup.58Mn 57.93999 65 s
.beta..sup.-/6.25 3.8/ 3+ 0.45916(2)/20. 5.1/ 0.81076(1)/82.
1.32309(5)/53. .sup.59Mn 58.94045 4.6 s .beta..sup.-/5.19 4.5/ 5/2-
0.726/ 0.473/ 0.287-2.35 .sup.60mMn 1.77 s .beta..sup.-/IT 5.7/ 3+
0.824/ .sup.60Mn 59.9433 50. s .beta..sup.-/8.6 0+ 1.969/ .sup.61Mn
60.9446 0.67 s .beta..sup.-/7.4 (5/2)- .sup.62Mn 61.9480 0.67 s
.beta..sup.-/10.4 (3+) 0.877/ 0.942-1.299 .sup.63Mn 62.9498 0.28 s
.beta..sup.-/8.8 0.356, 0.450 .sup.64mMn >0.1 ms 0.135/IT
.sup.64Mn 63.9537 87 ms .beta..sup.-/11.8 0.746 .sup.65Mn 64.9561
0.09 s .beta..sup.-/10 0.366 .sup.66Mn 65.961 66 ms 0.471 .sup.67Mn
66.964 42 ms .sup.68Mn 28 ms .sup.69Mn 14 ms .sub.59Pr 140.90765(2)
.sup.121Pr 120.955 0.6 s .sup.122Pr 121.952 .sup.123Pr 122.946
.sup.124Pr 123.943 1.2 s .beta..sup.+, EC/12. ann.rad./ .sup.125Pr
124.9378 .apprxeq.3.3 s .beta..sup.+ ann.rad./ 0.1358 .sup.126Pr
125.9353 3.1 s .beta..sup.+, EC/.apprxeq.10.4 ann.rad./
(0.170-0.985) .sup.127Pr 126.9308 4.2 s .beta..sup.+/.apprxeq.7.5
ann.rad./ (0.028-0.8949) .sup.128Pr 127.9288 3.0 s .beta..sup.+,
EC/.apprxeq.9.3 ann.rad./ 0.207/100 0.400-1.373 .sup.129Pr 128.9249
32 s .beta..sup.+, EC/5.8 ann.rad./ (0.0395-1.865) .sup.130Pr
129.9234 40. s .beta..sup.+, EC/8.1 ann.rad./ .sup.131mPr 5.7 s
(0.06-0.16) .sup.131Pr 130.9201 1.7 m .beta..sup.+, EC/5.3
.apprxeq.5.5 ann.rad./ (0.059-0.980) .sup.132Pr 131.9191 1.6 m
.beta..sup.+, EC/7.1 ann.rad./ 0.325 0.496 0.533 .sup.133mPr 1.1 s
IT/0.192 0.1305 0.0617 .sup.133Pr 132.9162 6.5 m .beta..sup.+,
EC/4.3 5/2+ ann.rad./ 0.074 0.1343 0.2419 0.3156 0.3308 0.4650
.sup.134mPr .apprxeq.11 m .beta..sup.+, EC/ ann.rad./ 0.294 0.460
0.495 0.632 .sup.134Pr 133.9157 17. m .beta..sup.+, EC/6.2 2+
ann.rad./ 0.2940.495 .sup.135Pr 134.9131 24. m .beta..sup.+, EC/3.7
2.5/ 3/2+ ann.rad./ 0.0826 0.2135 0.2961 0.5832 .sup.136Pr
135.91265 13.1 m .beta..sup.+/57/5.13 2.98/ 2+ ann.rad./ EC/43 Ce k
x-ray 0.5398 0.5522 .sup.137Pr 136.91068 1.28 h
.beta..sup.+/26/2.70 1.68/ 5/2+ ann.rad./ EC/74/ Ce k x-ray 0.4339
0.5140 0.8367 (0.16-1.8) .sup.138mPr 2.1 h .beta..sup.+/24/ 1.65/
7- ann.rad./ EC/76/ Ce k x-ray 0.3027 0.7887 1.0378 (0.07-2.0)
.sup.138Pr 137.91075 1.45 m .beta..sup.+/75/4.44 3.42/ 1+ ann.rad./
EC/25/ Ce k x-ray 0.7887 .sup.139Pr 138.90893 4.41 h
.beta..sup.+/8/2.129 1.09/ 5/2+ ann.rad./ EC/92/ Ce k x-ray 0.2551
1.3473 1.6307 .sup.140Pr 139.90907 3.39 m .beta..sup.+/51/3.39
2.37/ 1+ ann.rad./ EC/49/ Ce k x-ray 0.3069 1.5965 .sup.141Pr 100.
140.907648 5/2+ +4.275 -0.08 .sup.142mPr 14.6 m I.T./0.004 c.e./ 5-
2.2 .sup.142Pr 141.910041 19.12 h .beta..sup.-/2.162 0.58/4 2-
+0.234 +0.030 0.5088 EC/0.744 2.16/96 1.57580 .sup.143Pr 142.910813
13.57 d .beta..sup.-/0.934 0.933/ 7/2+ +2.70 +0.8 0.7420
.sup.144mPr 7.2 m IT/99+/0.059 3- Pr k x-ray .beta..sup.-/ 0.0590
0.6965 0.8142 .sup.144Pr 143.913301 17.28 m .beta..sup.-/2.998
0.807/1 0- 0.69649 2.30/ 1.48912 2.996/98 2.18562 .sup.145Pr
144.91451 5.98 h .beta..sup.-/1.81 1.80/97 7/2+ 0.0725 0.6758
0.7483 .sup.146Pr 145.9176 24.2 m .beta..sup.-/4.2 2.2/30 2-
0.4539/48 3.7/10 1.5247 4.2/40 .sup.147Pr 146.91898 13.4 m
.beta..sup.-/2.69 1.5/ 3/2+ 0.3146/24. 2.1/ 0.5779/16 0.6413/19.
.sup.148mPr 2.0 m .beta..sup.-/ 4.0/ (4) 0.3016 3.8/ 0.4506 0.6975
.sup.148Pr 147.9222 2.27 m .beta..sup.-/4.9 4.8/ 1- 0.3017
4.5/ .sup.149Pr 148.92379 2.3 m .beta..sup.-/3.40 3.0 (5/2+) 0.1085
0.1385 0.1651 .sup.150Pr 149.9270 6.2 s .beta..sup.-/5.7 1- 0.1302
.apprxeq.5.5 0.8044 0.8527 .sup.151Pr 150.9283 22.4 s
.beta..sup.-/4.2 .sup.152Pr 151.9319 3.2 s .beta..sup.-/6.7 4+
0.0726 0.164 0.285 .sup.153Pr 152.9339 4.3 s .beta..sup.-/5.5
.sup.154Pr 153.9381 2.3 s .beta..sup.-/7.9 .sup.155Pr 154.9400
.sup.156Pr 155.944 .sup.157Pr 156.947 .sup.158Pr 157.952 .sup.159Pr
158.955
EXAMPLES
[0110] The following examples are given to illustrate various
embodiments within the scope of the present invention. These are
given by way of example only, and it is to be understood that the
following examples are not comprehensive or exhaustive of the many
embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Example 1
Praseodymium Doping--NMSG
[0111] A tantalum sheet about 1.5 inches in width and about 8 feet
long and about 0.002 inches thick was laid out on a table along
with a similar sheet made of aluminum except the aluminum was about
0.001 inches thick. An active mixture of barium titanate and
praseodymium oxide was mixed together in molar ratios from 90:10 to
50:50 in increments of 5%. This mixture was blended with mica-based
cement called Resbond 907, Coltronics, Inc., NY. The ratio of
cement to active powder was in a 50:50 weight percent ratio. Iron
powder was also added to certain blends at the expense of the
praseodymium oxide up to 0.2 mole percent. Distilled water was
added to make a thick slurry paste that was subsequently painted or
brushed on the two metal foils. The two foils were then placed on
top of the other and rolled up on a 1/2inch mandrel. The aluminum
foil was connected to the negative electrode and the tantalum foil
was connected to the positive electrode. The combined coil was
heated to 460.degree. C. in a vacuum and poled using 6,000 volts at
a small current of about 1 milliampere.
[0112] After the coil was poled, the assembled generator gave a
potential 3.5V. To test the current, an LED was placed between the
electrodes and lit continuously. The LED required a turn-on voltage
of about 2.2 Volts and about 10 milliampere.
Example 2
Manganese Doping--NMSG
[0113] A tantalum sheet about 1.5 inches in width and about 8 feet
long and about 0.002 inches thick was laid out on a table along
with a similar sheet made of aluminum except the aluminum was about
0.001 inches thick. An active mixture of barium titanate and
manganese oxide was mixed together in molar ratios from 90:10. This
mixture was blended with a cement called Resbond 907, Coltronics,
Inc., NY. The ratio of cement to active powder was in a 50:50
weight percent ratio. Iron powder was also added to certain blends
at the expense of the manganese oxide at 0.2 mole percent.
Distilled water was added to make a thick slurry paste that was
subsequently painted or brushed on the two metal foils. The two
foils were then placed on top of the other and rolled up on a 1/2
inch mandrel. The aluminum foil was connected to the negative
electrode and the tantalum foil was connected to the positive
electrode. The combined coil was heated to 460.degree. C. in a
vacuum and poled using 6,000 volts at a small current of about 1
milliampere.
[0114] After the coil was poled, the assembled generator gave a
potential of about 5 volts. To test the current, an LED was placed
between the electrodes and lit continuously. The LED required a
turn-on voltage of about 2.2 Volts and about 10 milliampere.
Example 3
Barium Titanate--RPEG
[0115] A tantalum sheet about 1.5 inches in width and about 8 feet
long and about 0.002 inches thick was laid out on a table along
with a similar sheet made of aluminum except the aluminum was about
0.001 inches thick. An active mixture of barium titanate was mixed
together in molar ratio of 50:50. This mixture was blended with a
cement called Resbond 907, Coltronics, Inc., NY. The ratio of
cement to active powder was in a 50:50 weight percent ratio
Distilled water was added to make a thick slurry paste that was
subsequently painted or brushed on the two metal foils. The two
foils were then placed on top of the other and rolled up on a 1/2
inch mandrel. The aluminum foil was connected to the negative
electrode and the tantalum foil was connected to the positive
electrode. The combined coil was heated to 460.degree. C. in a
vacuum and poled using 6,000 volts at a small current of about 1
milliampere.
[0116] After the coil was poled, the assembled generator gave a
potential of about 3 volts. To test the current, an LED was placed
between the electrodes and lit continuously. The LED required a
turn-on voltage of about 2.2 Volts and about 10 milliampere.
Example 4
Praseodymium Doping--NMSG
[0117] A tantalum sheet about 1.5 inches in width and about 8 feet
long and about 0.002 inches thick was laid out on a table along
with a similar sheet made of aluminum except the aluminum was about
0.001 inches thick. An active mixture of barium titanate and
praseodymium oxide was mixed together in molar ratios of 90:10.
This mixture was blended with a cement called Resbond 907,
Coltronics, Inc., NY. The ratio of cement to active powder was in a
50:50 weight percent ratio. Iron powder was also added to certain
blends at the expense of the praseodymium oxide at 0.2 mole
percent. Distilled water was added to make a thick slurry paste
that was subsequently painted or brushed on the two metal foils.
The two foils were then placed on top of the other and rolled up on
a 1/2 inch mandrel. The aluminum foil was connected to the negative
electrode and the tantalum foil was connected to the positive
electrode. The combined coil was heated to 460.degree. C. in a
vacuum and poled using 6,000 volts at a small current of about 1
milliampere.
[0118] After the coil was poled, the assembled generator gave a
potential of about 100 volts. To test the current, an LED was
placed between the electrodes and lit continuously. The LED
required a turn-on voltage of about 2.2 Volts and about 10
milliampere.
Example 5
Lead Zirconium Titanate plus Barium Titanate--RPEG
[0119] A tantalum sheet about 1.5 inches in width and about 8 feet
long and about 0.002 inches thick was laid out on a table along
with a similar sheet made of aluminum except the aluminum was about
0.001 inches thick. An active mixture of barium titanate and lead
zirconium titanate oxide was mixed together in molar of 50:50. This
mixture was blended a cement called Resbond 907, Coltronics, Inc.,
NY. The ratio of cement to active powder was in a 50:50 weight
percent ratio. Distilled water was added to make a thick slurry
paste that was subsequently painted or brushed on the two metal
foils. The two foils were then placed on top of the other and
rolled up on a 1/2 inch mandrel. The aluminum foil was connected to
the negative electrode and the tantalum foil was connected to the
positive electrode. The combined coil was heated to 460.degree. C.
in a vacuum and poled using 6,000 volts at a small current of about
1 milliampere.
[0120] This device produced a potential of 50 Volts which decayed
slowly to about 5 volts over a two week period of time. This decay
was attributed to the absorption of water which caused a decrease
in internal resistance.
Example 6
Sputtered Vanadium--NMSG
[0121] Vanadium metal was sputtered in a radio frequency (RF)
magnetron vacuum chamber onto a PZT disc obtained from EDO
Ceramics, Salt Lake City, Utah. The disc was about 0.020 inches
thick and about 1.5 inches in diameter. The disc was coated on one
side with silver and the vanadium acted as the other electrode. The
disc was placed inside a 0.5 tesla external magnet. Again, the
vanadium layered device did not show significant voltage or
current, except for the expected capacitive effect.
[0122] After the disc was poled the assembled generator gave a
negative result in that there was no voltage or current generated.
This is attributed to the fact that the vanadium, though it has a
high natural abundance of a high nuclear magnetic spin; the nuclear
spin was of an "even" configuration. Therefore, it was concluded
that only "odd" spin nuclei provided sufficient coulombic
interaction with outer electrons causing greater impact on the
ferroelectric material.
Example 7
Sputtered Molybdenum--NMSG
[0123] Molybdenum metal was sputtered in a radio frequency (RF)
magnetron vacuum chamber onto a PZT disc obtained from EDO
Ceramics, Salt Lake City, Utah. The disc was about 0.020 inches
thick and about 1.5 inches in diameter. The disc was sputtered on
one side with silver and the molybdenum acted as the other
electrode. The sputtered thickness of silver was about 200 nm and
the molybdenum thickness was about 800 nm. The disc was placed
inside a 0.5 tesla external magnet. The potential obtained on the
molybdenum layered device was about 0.5 Volts and the current was
measured in the 3 to 6 microampere. The current and voltage
remained constant for about 6 months. This device was sectioned to
analyze the electrode PZT interface for precipitates or diffusion
of component. No abnormalities were noted at the interface.
Example 8
Magnesium Doped with Deuterium--NMSG
[0124] An 800 nm thick magnesium metal layer was sputtered in a
(RF) magnetron vacuum chamber onto a PZT disc obtained from EDO
Ceramics, Salt Lake City, Utah. The disc was about 0.020 inches
thick and about 1.5 inches in diameter. The disc was coated on the
other with a 200 nm thick layer of silver. The silver and the
magnesium acted as the electrodes. The coated disc was placed in a
RF magnetron sputter chamber where deuterium was reactively
sputtered into the magnesium layer. About 7% of the magnesium
reacted to form a deuterated compound with the magnesium. The disc
was placed inside a 0.5 tesla external magnet. The potential
obtained on the deuterium doped molybdenum was about 1 Volt and the
current was measured at 6 microampere.
Example 9--RPEG
[0125] In this case, an ultracapacitor, sometimes termed a
pseudocapacitor, was disassembled to remove the component parts to
be used in making a remnant polarization electrical generator.
Several of these were made using disassembled 20 to 50 Farad
capacitors. The active electrolyte material was removed and
replaced with poly-vinylidene fluoride. This polymer was dissolved
with tetrahydrofuran in a ratio of 20/80 by volume respectively.
Two electrode layers, made of ruthenium oxide, were dipped in the
solution. The solution was air dried on these two electrode layers
at 60.degree. C. The coated layers were fabricated into a device by
rolling up and heated to 170.degree. C. for 2 hours where the
poly-vinylidene fluoride melted. On cooling the two electrode
layers were electrically isolated with about a 2 mega-ohm internal
resistance from each other. In this particular case a
crystallization and self polarizing process occurred wherein
charged functional groups organized into positive and negative
regions much like the effect one would see on electrical poling.
The device spontaneously self charged and current and voltage could
be measured by appropriate connections to the electrodes. The
measured performance of the device showed 0.354 volts and produced
a current of 2 milliampere. These electrodes of this device were
shorted several times and for long lengths of time, up to 2 weeks,
and in all cases the device spontaneously and continuously
recharged to the values indicated above. No degradation of
charge-up or discharge times was ever noticed.
[0126] Based upon the results of the foregoing small-scale
experiments, other devices utilizing multilayered or rolled
configurations may be fabricated that produce substantially higher
electric currents and voltages. It will be appreciated that
electric generators within the scope of the present invention may
be used to provide constant electric current sufficient to "trickle
charge" batteries and capacitors which power a wide variety of
electronic devices, such as cell phones, PDAs, notebook computers,
GPS devices, portable music players, flashlights, remote control
devices, radios and communication devices, and so forth. Other
electric generators may provide power for discrete circuit board
chips and medical applications, such as medical implants for
pacemakers and electrical stimulation for pain management.
[0127] Electric generators within the scope of the present
invention may be fabricated at a sufficient scale to provide
stand-alone electric power generation for remote locations, homes,
businesses, automobiles, boats, and so forth. Military applications
may include electric generators for satellites, space probes, and
field applications.
[0128] It is believed that the disclosure set forth above
encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility.
While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred
form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated
herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous
variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions
includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations
of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties
disclosed herein. Where the disclosure, the presently filed claims,
or subsequently filed claims recite "a" or "a first" element or the
equivalent thereof, it should be within the scope of the present
inventions that such disclosure or claims may be understood to
include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither
requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
[0129] Applicants submit claims herewith and reserve the right to
submit claims directed to certain combinations and subcombinations
that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are
believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other
combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements
and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims
or presentation of new claims in that or a related application.
Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a
different invention or directed to the same invention, whether
different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original
claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of
the inventions of the present disclosure.
[0130] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its structures, methods, or other
essential characteristics as broadly described herein and claimed
hereinafter. The described embodiments are to be considered in all
respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims,
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
* * * * *