Patent ID: 8476095

Claim:
A method of forming an energy converter for converting vibrational energy of a vibrationally energized species into a useful form of energy, comprising: forming a substrate; forming a semiconductor layer on the substrate; forming a tailoring layer on the semiconductor layer, wherein the tailoring layer comprises one or more ballistic charge carrier materials; forming a Schottky conductor on the tailoring layer, wherein the Schottky conductor comprises one or more ballistic charge carrier materials; and forming a stabilizing interlayer conducting surface from one or more conductors and conducting catalysts on the Schottky conductor; wherein the Schottky conductor and the semiconductor layer form a Schottky diode; wherein the tailoring layer is disposed between the Schottky conductor and the semiconductor layer; wherein the tailoring layer stabilizes mechanical and materials junctions between the Schottky conductor and the semiconductor layer, thereby preventing tearing of the Schottky conductor from the semiconductor layer and; wherein the stabilizing interlayer conducting surface physically isolates chemical reactants from the semiconductor layer and acts as a barrier against chemical transport, the stabilizing interlayer conducting surface comprises one or more ballistic charge carrier materials.