Patent ID: 9190595
Filing Date: 2015-11-17
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An electronic component comprising: at least one energy harvester coupled between at least one pair of hot and cold regions of the electronic component and configured to convert thermal energy to electrical energy in order to provide power to at least the electronic component, the at least one energy harvester comprising a conductive thermal channel, wherein a difference in voltage is present between a first end and a second end of the conductive thermal channel when the at least one energy harvester is in operation, the first end and the second end of the conductive thermal channel defining an axis of the conductive thermal channel, wherein the first end of the conductive thermal channel is connected solely to an n-type semiconductor material of the electronic component and the second end of the conductive thermal channel is connected solely to a p-type semiconductor material of the electronic component, the n-type semiconductor material being coupled to the hot region and spaced apart from the cold region by the conductive thermal channel and the p-type semiconductor material with respect to the axis of the conductive thermal channel, and the p-type semiconductor material being coupled to the cold region and spaced apart from the hot region by the conductive thermal channel and the n-type semiconductor material with respect to the axis of the conductive thermal channel, wherein the at least one energy harvester further comprises a first pad, coupled to the n-type semiconductor and a power pin, the first pad spaced apart from the cold region at least partially by the conductive thermal channel, and wherein the at least one energy harvester further comprises a second pad, coupled to the p-type semiconductor and a ground pin, the second pad spaced apart from the hot region at least partially by the conductive thermal channel.