Patent ID: 8378207
Filing Date: 2013-02-19
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: one or more solid-state electric generators, the solid-state electric generators including at least one thermally energized solid-state electric generators; wherein the one or more solid-state electric generators include, a first region of a solid-state junction, the first region including a first material having a first charge carrier effective mass; a second material of the solid-state junction, the second material having a second charge carrier effective mass greater than the first charge carrier effective mass, wherein a charge carrier effective mass ratio between the second charge carrier effective mass and the first charge carrier effective mass is greater than or equal to two; one or more third materials in the first region electrically in contact with the first material and not in contact with the second material; a heat source in thermal contact with the one or more third materials; and a heat sink connected to the second material, the heat sink having a heat sink temperature higher than an ambient temperature and being configured to remove heat from said one or more solid state electric generators; wherein the one or more solid-state electric generators are configured to energize a charge carrier in the first material, to have an effective carrier temperature higher than a second material temperature of the second material; wherein the first material permits ballistic transport of the charge carrier through the first material and into the second material.