Pyroelectric Quantum Well Energy Harvesters

Investigation of pyroelectric energy harvesters with enhanced efficiencies through quantum wells induced by a multilayer design. We are investigating pyroelectric energy harvesters with enhanced efficiencies through quantum wells induced by a multilayer design. Pyroelectric materials generate surface charges/voltage when heated or cooled. This type of material has been investigated for energy harvesting applications, but has thus far yielded power far below theoretically calculated outputs. The innovation here is the multilayer design that takes advantage of quantum wells induced by thin layers of materials with mismatched band gaps to enhance local polarization of confined charge particles by a potential well with discrete energy thus enhancing power generation.

Takes advantage of temperature fluctuations in aerospace environments to supply power to electronic components.

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