JP2022060013A - Power generation element, power generation device, electronic apparatus, and power generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a power generation element that can further improve power generation efficiency.SOLUTION: A power generation element according to one embodiment utilizes the inter-electrode work function difference, and includes a first electrode 11, a second electrode 12 with a work function different from that of the first electrode 11, a magnetic field generation mechanism 15 provided near the first electrode 11, and a nanoparticle 14 that can move between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12, receives at least an electron e released from the first electrode 11, and delivers the received electron e to the second electrode 12. The nanoparticle 14 is a magnetic body. For example, the second electrode 12 has a work function smaller than that of the first electrode 11, and moves the nanoparticle 14 having received the electron e from the first electrode 11 with a larger work function to the second electrode 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to power generation elements, power generation devices, electronic devices, and power generation methods.

In recent years, power generation elements such as thermoelectric elements that generate electric energy by using thermal energy have been actively developed. Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose thermoelectric elements that utilize an electron emission phenomenon due to absolute temperature, which occurs between electrodes having a work function difference. Such a thermoelectric element can generate electricity even when the temperature difference between the electrodes is small or there is no temperature difference as compared with the thermoelectric element using the temperature difference between the electrodes (Zebeck effect). Therefore, the power generation element using the work function difference between the electrodes is expected to be used for various purposes as compared with the power generation element using the temperature difference between the electrodes.

Patent Documents 1 to 3 are composed of two metal or semiconductor electrodes having different work functions, and a solvent containing nanoparticles that fill the spaces between the electrodes. Thermions are emitted from both electrodes. When the gap between the electrodes approaches and electrons can be exchanged, the electrons move toward the opposite electrode and move to the opposite electrode by tunneling or hopping between the nanoparticles in contact with each other. This allows a current to flow between the two electrodes.

Japanese Patent No. 6147901 U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0229013 JP-A-2019-149493

However, there is a situation that it is difficult to improve the power generation efficiency in Patent Documents 1 to 3 using only tunneling or hopping between the nanoparticles in contact with each other.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a power generation element, a power generation device, an electronic device, and a power generation method capable of further improving the power generation efficiency.

The power generation element according to the first aspect of the present invention is a power generation element utilizing the difference in work function between electrodes, and includes a first electrode, a second electrode having a work function different from that of the first electrode, and the first electrode. A magnetic field generation mechanism that generates a magnetic field between the second electrode and a mechanism that can move between the first electrode and the second electrode, and at least receives and receives electrons emitted from the first electrode. It comprises nanoparticles that transfer the electrons to the second electrode, and the nanoparticles are characterized by being a magnetic material.

In the first aspect of the power generation element according to the second aspect of the present invention, the second electrode has a smaller work function than the first electrode, and the nanoparticles that have received the electrons have a larger work function. It is characterized in that it is moved from one electrode to the second electrode.

The power generation element according to the third aspect of the present invention further comprises, in the first or second aspect, a fluid-filled gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the nanoparticles. , It is characterized in that it is dispersed in the fluid.

In the third aspect, the power generation element according to the fourth aspect of the present invention has the nanoparticles in an electrically negative state after receiving the electrons, the first electrode has a low potential, and the second electrode has a high potential. It is characterized in that it drifts toward the second electrode by an electric field as an electric potential.

In the fourth aspect of the power generation element according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the nanoparticles that have become electrically neutral by passing the electrons to the second electrode are transferred to the first electrode and the second electrode. It is characterized in that it drifts toward the first electrode by a magnetic field between the electrodes.

The power generation element according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the fifth aspect, the force due to the electric field applied to the nanoparticles is larger than the force due to the magnetic field acting on the nanoparticles.

The power generation element according to the seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, the gap has a finite value of 3 μm or less.

The power generation device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention includes the power generation element of the first aspect, the first wiring electrically connected to the first electrode, and the second wiring electrically connected to the second electrode. It is characterized by having and.

The electronic device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized by including the power generation element of the first aspect and an electronic component driven by using the power generation element as a power source.

The power generation method according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is a power generation method of a power generation element using a work function difference between electrodes, and the power generation element has a first electrode and a second electrode having a different work function from the first electrode. The electrode, a magnetic field generation mechanism for generating a magnetic field between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a movable mechanism between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first electrode and the first electrode can be moved. The nanoparticles comprising the nanoparticles that receive the electrons emitted from the two electrodes and transfer the received electrons to the second electrode, and the nanoparticles that have received the electrons and are in an electrically negative state, are said to be the first. The nano is electrically neutral by drifting toward the second electrode by an electric field having a low potential for one electrode and a high potential for the second electrode, and passing the electrons to the second electrode. It is characterized in that particles are drifted toward the first electrode by a magnetic field between the first electrode and the second electrode.

According to the power generation element according to the first aspect, a magnetic field generation mechanism for generating a magnetic field is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the nanoparticles are made of a magnetic material. Therefore, nanoparticles that receive at least the electrons emitted from the first electrode and transfer the received electrons to the second electrode can be pulled back to the side of the first electrode after the electrons are transferred to the second electrode. Therefore, continuous electron movement using a finite number of nanoparticles can be efficiently performed. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the power generation efficiency as compared with the power generation electrons using only tunneling or hopping between the nanoparticles that are in contact with each other, for example.

According to the power generation element according to the second aspect, the nanoparticles that have received the electrons further move toward the second electrode. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the power generation efficiency as compared with the power generation electrons using only tunneling or hopping between the nanoparticles that are in contact with each other, for example. Further, the second electrode has a smaller work function than the first electrode. The behavior of such nanoparticles becomes more remarkable as the distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is narrowed. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an advantage that it is advantageous for miniaturization of the power generation element.

According to the power generation element according to the third aspect, a gap is further provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The nanoparticles are then dispersed in the solvent. Therefore, the nanoparticles can be moved between the first electrode and the second electrode.

According to the power generation element according to the fourth aspect, an electric field is generated in which the first electrode has a low potential and the second electrode has a high potential. Therefore, the nanoparticles that have received electrons and are in an electrically negative state can be drifted toward the second electrode.

According to the power generation element according to the fifth aspect, the nanoparticles in the electrically neutral state are drifted toward the first electrode. Therefore, the nanoparticles that have received the electrons and moved toward the second electrode can receive the electrons again. Therefore, continuous electron movement using a finite number of nanoparticles becomes feasible.

According to the power generation element according to the sixth aspect, the force due to the electric field applied to the nanoparticles is larger than the force due to the magnetic field acting on the nanoparticles. For this reason, nanoparticles that have received electrons and are in an electrically negative state are likely to drift toward the second electrode, and nanoparticles that have passed electrons and become electrically neutral are likely to drift toward the first electrode. It becomes easier to drift toward.

According to the power generation element according to the seventh aspect, the gap is 3 μm or less. This makes it possible to remarkably cause the phenomenon that the nanoparticles that have received the electrons move from the first electrode to the second electrode. Therefore, the power generation efficiency of the power generation element can be further increased.

According to the power generation device according to the eighth aspect, it is possible to obtain a power generation device capable of further improving the power generation efficiency.

According to the electronic device according to the ninth aspect, it is possible to obtain an electronic device capable of further improving the power generation efficiency.

According to the power generation method according to the tenth aspect, it is possible to obtain a power generation method capable of further improving the power generation efficiency.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a power generation device including a power generation element according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a power generation element according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a power generation element according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a power generation element according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a power generation element according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a power generation element according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a power generation device including a power generation element according to an embodiment. 8 (a) to 8 (h) are schematic block diagrams showing an example of an electronic device provided with a power generation element according to an embodiment.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, common reference numerals are given to common parts, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

(Power generation device)
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a power generation device including a power generation element according to an embodiment. 2 to 6 are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of a power generation element according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a power generation device including a power generation element according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the power generation device 100 includes a power generation element 1, a first external terminal 101, and a second external terminal 102. The power generation element 1 is electrically connected between both ends of the load R. The power generation element 1 utilizes a work function difference between electrodes. The power generation device 100 including the power generation element 1 is mounted or installed on a heat source (not shown), and the electric energy generated by the power generation element 1 based on the heat energy of the heat source is transferred to the first external terminal 101 and the second external. It is output to the load R via the terminal 102. One end of the load R is electrically connected to the first external terminal 101 via the first external wiring 111. The other end of the load R is electrically connected to the second external terminal 102 via the second external wiring 112. The load R indicates, for example, an electrical device. The load R is driven by using the power generation device 100 as a main power source or an auxiliary power source.

Examples of the heat source of the power generation element 1 include electronic devices or electronic components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), light emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), engines such as automobiles, factory production equipment, human bodies, and sunlight. Environmental temperature etc. can be used. For example, electronic devices, electronic components, light emitting elements, engines, production equipment, and the like are artificial heat sources. The human body, sunlight, environmental temperature, etc. are natural heat sources. The power generation device 100 can be provided inside a mobile device such as an IoT (Internet of Things) device and a wearable device, or a self-supporting sensor terminal, and can be used as a substitute for or an auxiliary battery. Further, the power generation device 100 can also be applied to a larger power generation device such as solar power generation.

(Power generation element)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the power generation element 1 includes a first electrode 11, a second electrode 12, a gap G, a solvent 13, nanoparticles 14, and a magnetic field generation mechanism 15. The power generation element 1 is covered with, for example, an insulating package 16.

The first electrode 11 has a first work function. The second electrode 12 has a second work function different from the first work function. In this embodiment, the value of the first work function shows an example larger than the value of the second work function. The power generation element 1 has a relationship that the first electrode 11 has a large work function (large WF) and the second electrode 12 has a small work function (small WF). The material of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 can be selected from, for example, the metals shown below.
Platinum (Pt)
Tungsten (W)
Aluminum (Al)
Titanium (Ti)
Niobium (Nb)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Tantalum (Ta)
Rhenium (Re)

In the thermoelectric element 1, it is sufficient that a work function difference occurs between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12. Therefore, it is possible to select a metal other than the above as the material of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12. Further, as the material of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12, in addition to the above metal, an alloy, an intermetallic compound, and a metal compound can be selected. A metallic compound is a combination of a metallic element and a non-metallic element. Examples of the metal compound include, for example, lanthanum hexaboride (LaB ₆ ).

It is also possible to select a non-metal conductive material as the material of the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12. Examples of the non-metal conductive material include silicon (Si: for example, p-type Si or n-type Si), carbon-based materials such as graphene, and the like.

The gap G is provided between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12. The solvent 13 fills the inside of the gap G. As the solvent 14, for example, a liquid having a boiling point of 60 ° C. or higher can be used. Therefore, even when the thermoelectric element 1 is used in an environment of room temperature (for example, 15 ° C. to 35 ° C.) or higher, the vaporization of the solvent 14 can be suppressed. As a result, deterioration of the thermoelectric element 1 due to the vaporization of the solvent 14 can be suppressed. As an example of the liquid, at least one of an organic solvent and water can be selected. Examples of the organic solvent include methanol, ethanol, toluene, xylene, tetradecane, alkanethiol and the like. The solvent 14 is preferably a liquid having a high electrical resistance value and an insulating property.

The nanoparticles 14 are dispersed in the solvent 13 so as to be movable between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12. The nanoparticles 14 receive the electrons e emitted from the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12, and pass the received electrons e to the second electrode 12. The particle diameter of the nanoparticles 14 is within a range that allows movement between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 inside the gap G. Further, the blending amount of nanoparticles is also set within a range within the gap G so as to be movable between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12.

The nanoparticles 14 are magnetic materials. Examples of the magnetic material include paramagnetic materials and ferromagnetic materials. The value of the work function of the nanoparticles 14 is, for example, between the value of the first work function of the first electrode 11 and the value of the second work function of the second electrode 12. For example, the value of the work function of the nanoparticles 14 is in the range of 3.0 eV or more and 5.5 eV or less.

According to the power generation element 1, even if the value of the work function of the nanoparticles 14 is lower than the value of the first work function and the value of the second work function, on the contrary, the value of the work function of the nanoparticles 14 is the first. It is possible to generate power even if it is higher than the value of the work function and the value of the second work function.

Examples of the material of the nanoparticles 14 include those containing an iron group transition metal. for example,
Iron (Fe)
Nickel (Ni)
Cobalt (Co)
Permalloy (FeNi)
Cobalt-iron alloy (FeCo)
Stainless steel (Fe-Cr-C)
Whistler alloy (Cu ₂ MnAl)
Magnetite (Fe ₃ O ₄ )
Gadolinium (Gd)
And so on. The surface of the nanoparticles 14 may be coated with, for example, an insulating material. As an example of the coating material, at least one of an insulating metal compound and an insulating organic compound can be selected. Examples of the insulating metal compound include silicon oxide and alumina. Examples of the insulating organic compound include alkanethiol (for example, dodecanethiol) and the like.

Here, the “nanoparticle” refers to a particle containing a plurality of particles, and may include, for example, two or more types of particles. The nanoparticles 14 include particles having a particle diameter of, for example, 2 nm or more and 100 nm or less. The nanoparticles 141 may include, for example, particles having an average particle size (for example, D50) of 3 nm or more and 100 nm or less. The average particle size can be measured, for example, by using a particle size distribution measuring instrument. As the particle size distribution measuring instrument, for example, a particle size distribution measuring instrument using a laser diffraction / scattering method (for example, Nanotrac Wave II-EX150 manufactured by Microtrac BEL) may be used.

Further, the "work function" indicates the minimum energy required to take out the electrons in the solid into a vacuum. The work function shall be measured using, for example, Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) or Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). Can be done.

(Power generation method)
As shown in FIG. 2, the nanoparticles 14 are attracted to the first electrode 11 side by the magnetic field generation mechanism 15 in the solvent 13. As the magnetic field generation mechanism 15, a known mechanism for generating a magnetic field is used, and for example, a magnet, a coil, or the like is used. The magnetic field generation mechanism 15 may show, for example, a mechanism for generating a DC magnetic field by a Helmholtz coil, an electromagnet, or the like, or a mechanism for generating a DC biased AC magnetic field by an electromagnet or the like. A part of the nanoparticles 14 comes into contact with the surface of the first electrode 11. Note that FIG. 2 illustrates only nanoparticles 14 that are in contact with the surface of the first electrode 11.

When the switch of the power generation device 100 is turned on, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrons e (thermoelectrons) emitted from the first electrode 11 move into the nanoparticles 14 in contact with the first electrode 11 by tunneling, for example. do. In this way, the nanoparticles 14 receive at least the electrons e emitted from the first electrode 11. The nanoparticles 14 that have received the electrons e are electrically in a negative state (the nanoparticles 14 are negatively charged).

Therefore, the potential on the side of the first electrode 11 is lowered, and as a result, an electric field is generated in which the first electrode 11 has a low potential and the second electrode 12 has a high potential.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the nanoparticles 14 that have received the electron e and are in an electrically negative state drift toward the second electrode 12 due to the electric field. The drifted nanoparticles 14 come into contact with the second electrode 12.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the electron e in the nanoparticles 14 in contact with the second electrode 12 moves into the nanoparticles 14 in contact with the second electrode 12, for example, by tunneling. In this way, the nanoparticles 14 pass the received electrons e to the second electrode 12. The nanoparticles 14 that have passed the electron e to the second electrode 12 and are in an electrically neutral state are in an electrically neutral state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the nanoparticles 14 in the electrically neutral state are separated from the second electrode 12 and pulled back to the first electrode 11 side by the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generation mechanism 15. As a result, the nanoparticles 14 repeat the behaviors as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, and continuous movement of electrons e using a finite number of nanoparticles 14 is realized in the power generation element 1. It will be possible.

In this way, the power generation element 1 generates electricity by moving the nanoparticles 14 that have received the electrons e from the first electrode 11 to the second electrode 12. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, a current can be passed through the load R, and the load R can be used as the power generation device 100.

Further, in the power generation element 1, the nanoparticles 12 that have received the electrons e from the first electrode 11 having a large work function move toward the second electrode 12 having a small work function. Such behavior of the nanoparticles 14 becomes more remarkable as the distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is narrowed. In the test by the inventors of the present application, when the width of the gap G is 3 μm or less, the phenomenon that the nanoparticles 14 that have received electrons move from the first electrode 11 to the second electrode 12 starts to appear remarkably. confirmed. Therefore, by setting the width of the gap G to 3 μm or less, the power generation efficiency of the power generation element 1 can be further improved.

In this way, the power generation element 1 that moves the nanoparticles 14 that have received the electrons e from the first electrode 11 having a large work function to the second electrode 12 having a small work function has a gap G of 3 μm or less. Further, as the width of the gap G is narrowed, the power generation efficiency tends to increase. Therefore, the power generation element 1 is also effective for miniaturization and miniaturization of the power generation element 1 and the power generation device 100.

(Electronics)
The power generation device 100 including the power generation element 1 described in the above-described embodiment can be mounted on, for example, an electronic device. Hereinafter, some embodiments of the electronic device will be described.

8 (a) to 8 (h) are schematic block diagrams showing an example of an electronic device provided with a power generation element according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the electronic device (electric product) 500 includes an electronic component (electronic component) 501, a main power supply 502, and an auxiliary power supply 503. Each of the electronic device 500 and the electronic component 501 is an electrical device (electrical device).

The electronic component 501 is driven by using the main power source 502 as a power source. Examples of the electronic component 501 include a CPU, a motor, a sensor terminal, lighting, and the like. When the electronic component 501 is, for example, a CPU, the electronic device 500 includes an electronic device that can be controlled by a built-in master (CPU). When the electronic component 501 includes, for example, at least one such as a motor, a sensor terminal, and lighting, the electronic device 500 includes an external master or a human-controllable electronic device.

The main power source 502 is, for example, a battery. Batteries also include rechargeable batteries. The positive terminal (+) of the main power supply 502 is electrically connected to the Vcc terminal (Vcc) of the electronic component 501. The negative terminal (-) of the main power supply 502 is electrically connected to the GND terminal (GND) of the electronic component 501.

The auxiliary power source 503 is a power generation element 1. The power generation element 1 is electrically connected between the GND terminal (GND) of the electronic component 501 or the wiring connecting the GND terminal (GND) and the minus terminal (-).

In the electronic device 500, the power generation device 100 is used, for example, in combination with the main power source 502 as a power source for assisting the main power source 502 and as a power source for backing up the main power source 502 when the capacity of the main power source 502 is exhausted. be able to. When the main power source 502 is a rechargeable battery, the auxiliary power source 503 can also be used as a power source for charging the battery.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the main power source 502 may be the power generation element 1. The power generation element 100 is electrically connected between the GND terminal (GND) of the electronic component 501 and the Vcc terminal (Vcc) of the electronic component 501. The electronic device 500 shown in FIG. 8B includes a power generation element 1 used as a main power source 502 and an electronic component 501 that can be driven by the power generation element 1. The power generation element 1 is an independent power source (for example, an off-grid power source). Therefore, the electronic device 500 can be made, for example, a self-standing type (stand-alone type). Moreover, the power generation element 1 is an energy harvesting type (energy harvesting type). The electronic device 500 shown in FIG. 8B does not require battery replacement.

As shown in FIG. 8C, the electronic component 501 may include the power generation element 1. The power generation element 1 is electrically connected, for example, between the GND wiring and the Vcc wiring of the circuit board (not shown). In this case, the power generation element 1 can be used as an electronic component 501, for example, an auxiliary power supply 503.

As shown in FIG. 8D, when the electronic component 501 includes the power generation element 1, the power generation element 1 can be used as, for example, the main power source 502 of the electronic component 501.

As shown in each of FIGS. 8 (e) to 8 (h), the electronic device 500 may include a power generation device 100 including a power generation element 1.

Further, the embodiment shown in FIG. 8D includes a power generation element 1 in which the electronic component 501 is used as the main power source 502. Similarly, the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 (h) includes a power generation device 100 in which the electronic component 501 is used as a main power source. In these embodiments, the electronic component 501 has an independent power source. Therefore, the electronic component 501 can be made, for example, a self-standing type. The self-supporting electronic component 501 can be effectively used, for example, in an electronic device including a plurality of electronic components and in which at least one electronic component is separated from another electronic component. An example of such an electronic device 500 is a sensor. The sensor includes a sensor terminal (slave) and a controller (master) away from the sensor terminal. Each of the sensor terminal and the controller is an electronic component 501. If the sensor terminal includes the power generation element 1 or the power generation device 100, it becomes a self-supporting sensor terminal and does not need to be supplied with electric power by wire. Since the power generation device 100 or the power generation device 101 is an energy harvesting type, it is not necessary to replace the battery. The sensor terminal can also be regarded as one of the electronic devices 500. The sensor terminal considered to be the electronic device 500 further includes, for example, an IoT wireless tag, etc., in addition to the sensor terminal of the sensor.

What is common to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (h) is that the electronic device 500 uses the power generation element 1 that converts thermal energy into electrical energy and the power generation element 1 as a power source. It includes an electronic component 501 that can be driven.

The electronic device 500 may be an autonomous type (autonomous type) having an independent power supply. Examples of autonomous electronic devices include robots and the like. Further, the electronic component 501 provided with the power generation element 1 or the power generation device 100 may be an autonomous type having an independent power source. Examples of autonomous electronic components include movable sensor terminals and the like.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, one embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Moreover, the above-mentioned one embodiment is not the only embodiment of the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in various novel embodiments in addition to the above embodiment. Therefore, each of the above embodiments can be omitted, replaced, or changed in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention. Such novel forms and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the present invention, as well as in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent of the invention described in the claims.

1: Power generation element 11: First electrode 12: Second electrode 13: Solvent 14: Nanoparticle 15: Magnetic field generation mechanism 16: Package 100: Power generation device 101: First external terminal 102: Second external terminal 500: Electronic device 501 : Electronic component 502: Main power source 503: Auxiliary power source R: Load G: Gap e: Electronic

The power generation element according to the first aspect of the present invention is a power generation element utilizing the work function difference between electrodes, and is a first electrode, a second electrode having a work function smaller than that of the first electrode, and the first electrode. A magnetic field generation mechanism that generates a magnetic field between the second electrode and the second electrode, and a mechanism that can move between the first electrode and the second electrode, and receives and receives at least electrons emitted from the first electrode. The nanoparticles are provided with nanoparticles that transfer the electrons to the second electrode , and a gap provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and filled with a fluid, and the nanoparticles are contained in the fluid. It is a magnetic material dispersed in the above, and the nanoparticles that have received the electrons are moved from the first electrode to the second electrode, and the electrons are received and the nanoparticles are in an electrically negative state. Is drifted toward the second electrode by an electric field having the first electrode at a low potential and the second electrode at a high potential, and the electrons are transferred to the second electrode to be in an electrically neutral state. It is characterized in that the nanoparticles are drifted toward the first electrode by a magnetic field between the first electrode and the second electrode .

The power generation element according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the force due to the electric field applied to the nanoparticles is larger than the force due to the magnetic field acting on the nanoparticles.

The power generation element according to the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect or the second aspect , the gap has a finite value of 3 μm or less.

The power generation device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes the power generation element of the first aspect, the first wiring electrically connected to the first electrode, and the second wiring electrically connected to the second electrode. It is characterized by having and.

The electronic device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized by including the power generation element of the first aspect and an electronic component driven by using the power generation element as a power source.

The power generation method according to the sixth aspect of the present invention is a power generation method of a power generation element using a work function difference between electrodes, and the power generation element has a first electrode and a second electrode having a different work function from the first electrode. The electrode, a magnetic field generation mechanism for generating a magnetic field between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a movable mechanism between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first electrode and the first electrode can be moved. The nanoparticles comprising the nanoparticles that receive the electrons emitted from the two electrodes and transfer the received electrons to the second electrode, and the nanoparticles that have received the electrons and are in an electrically negative state, are said to be the first. The nano is electrically neutral by drifting toward the second electrode by an electric field having a low potential for one electrode and a high potential for the second electrode, and passing the electrons to the second electrode. It is characterized in that particles are drifted toward the first electrode by a magnetic field between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Further , according to the power generation element according to the first aspect, the nanoparticles that have received the electrons further move toward the second electrode. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the power generation efficiency as compared with the power generation electrons using only tunneling or hopping between the nanoparticles that are in contact with each other, for example. Further, the second electrode has a smaller work function than the first electrode. The behavior of such nanoparticles becomes more remarkable as the distance between the first electrode and the second electrode is narrowed. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an advantage that it is advantageous for miniaturization of the power generation element.

Further , according to the power generation element according to the first aspect, a gap provided between the first electrode and the second electrode is provided . The nanoparticles are then dispersed in the solvent. Therefore, the nanoparticles can be moved between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Further , according to the power generation element according to the first aspect, an electric field is generated in which the first electrode has a low potential and the second electrode has a high potential. Therefore, the nanoparticles that have received electrons and are in an electrically negative state can be drifted toward the second electrode.

Further , according to the power generation element according to the first aspect, the nanoparticles in the electrically neutral state are drifted toward the first electrode. Therefore, the nanoparticles that have received the electrons and moved toward the second electrode can receive the electrons again. Therefore, continuous electron movement using a finite number of nanoparticles becomes feasible.

According to the power generation element according to the second aspect, the force due to the electric field applied to the nanoparticles is larger than the force due to the magnetic field acting on the nanoparticles. For this reason, nanoparticles that have received electrons and are in an electrically negative state are likely to drift toward the second electrode, and nanoparticles that have passed electrons and become electrically neutral are likely to drift toward the first electrode. It becomes easier to drift toward.

According to the power generation element according to the third aspect, the gap is 3 μm or less. This makes it possible to remarkably cause the phenomenon that the nanoparticles that have received the electrons move from the first electrode to the second electrode. Therefore, the power generation efficiency of the power generation element can be further increased.

According to the power generation device according to the fourth aspect, it is possible to obtain a power generation device capable of further improving the power generation efficiency.

According to the electronic device according to the fifth aspect, it is possible to obtain an electronic device capable of further improving the power generation efficiency.

According to the power generation method according to the sixth aspect, it is possible to obtain a power generation method capable of further improving the power generation efficiency.

Claims (10)

It is a power generation element that utilizes the work function difference between electrodes.
With the first electrode
The second electrode, which has a different work function from the first electrode,
A magnetic field generation mechanism that generates a magnetic field between the first electrode and the second electrode,
Nanoparticles that are movable between the first electrode and the second electrode, receive at least the electrons emitted from the first electrode, and transfer the received electrons to the second electrode.
Equipped with
The nanoparticles are a power generation element characterized by being a magnetic material. The second electrode has a smaller work function than the first electrode.
The power generation element according to claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles that have received the electrons are moved from the first electrode having a large work function toward the second electrode. A fluid-filled gap is further provided between the first electrode and the second electrode.
The power generation element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nanoparticles are dispersed in the fluid. It is characterized in that the nanoparticles, which have received the electrons and are in an electrically negative state, are drifted toward the second electrode by an electric field having the first electrode at a low potential and the second electrode at a high potential. The power generation element according to claim 3. To transfer the electrons to the second electrode and cause the nanoparticles in an electrically neutral state to drift toward the first electrode by a magnetic field between the first electrode and the second electrode. 4. The power generation element according to claim 4. The power generation element according to claim 5, wherein the force due to the electric field applied to the nanoparticles is larger than the force due to the magnetic field acting on the nanoparticles. The power generation element according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the gap has a finite value of 3 μm or less. The power generation element according to claim 1 and
The first wiring electrically connected to the first electrode and
The second wiring electrically connected to the second electrode and
A power generation device characterized by being equipped with. The power generation element according to claim 1 and
An electronic device including electronic components that are driven by using the power generation element as a power source. It is a power generation method of a power generation element using the work function difference between electrodes.
The power generation element is
With the first electrode
The second electrode, which has a different work function from the first electrode,
A magnetic field generation mechanism that generates a magnetic field between the first electrode and the second electrode,
Nanoparticles that are movable between the first electrode and the second electrode, receive electrons emitted from the first electrode and the second electrode, and transfer the received electrons to the second electrode. ,
Equipped with
The nanoparticles, which have received the electrons and are in an electrically negative state, are drifted toward the second electrode by an electric field having the first electrode at a low potential and the second electrode at a high potential.
To transfer the electrons to the second electrode and cause the nanoparticles in an electrically neutral state to drift toward the first electrode by a magnetic field between the first electrode and the second electrode. A power generation method characterized by.

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