Thermionic converters based on nanostructured carbon materials

Franz A.M. Koeck; Yunyu Wang; Robert J. Nemanich

doi:10.1063/1.2169241

Thermionic converters based on nanostructured carbon materials

Franz A.M. Koeck, Yunyu Wang, Robert J. Nemanich

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Thermionic energy converters are based on electron emission through thermal excitation and collection where the thermal energy is directly converted into electrical power. Conventional thermionic energy converters based on emission from planar metal emitters have been limited due to space charge. This paper presents a novel approach to thermionic energy conversion by focusing on nanostructured carbon materials, sulfur doped nanocrystalline diamond and carbon nanotube films as emitters. These materials exhibit intrinsic field enhancement which can be exploited in lowering the emission barrier, i.e. the effective work function. Moreover, emission from these materials is described in terms of emission sites as a result of a non-uniform spatial distribution of the field enhancement factor. This phenomenon can prove advantageous in a converter configuration to mitigate space charge effects by reducing the transit time of electrons in the gap due to an accelerated charge carrier transport.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	STAIF 2006
Subtitle of host publication	10th Conf. on Thermophysics Applic. in Micrograv.; 23rd Symp. on Space Nucl. Power and Propulsion; 4th Conf.on Human/Robotic Technol. and the Nat. Vission for Space Explor. on Space Colon.
Pages	607-613
Number of pages	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2169241
State	Published - Jan 20 2006
Externally published	Yes
Event	STAIF 2006: 10th Conf. on Thermophysics Applic. in Micrograv.; 23rd Symp. on Space Nucl. Power and Propulsion; 4th Conf. on Human/Robotic Technol. and the Nat. Vision for Space Explor.; 4th Symp. on Space Coloniz.; 3rd Symp.on New Front. and Future C - Albuquerque, NM, United States Duration: Feb 12 2006 → Feb 16 2006

Publication series

Name	AIP Conference Proceedings
Volume	813
ISSN (Print)	0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)	1551-7616

Conference

Conference	STAIF 2006: 10th Conf. on Thermophysics Applic. in Micrograv.; 23rd Symp. on Space Nucl. Power and Propulsion; 4th Conf. on Human/Robotic Technol. and the Nat. Vision for Space Explor.; 4th Symp. on Space Coloniz.; 3rd Symp.on New Front. and Future C
Country/Territory	United States
City	Albuquerque, NM
Period	2/12/06 → 2/16/06

Keywords

CVD
Diamond
Doping
Electron emission
Energy conversion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Physics and Astronomy

Access to Document

10.1063/1.2169241

Cite this

Koeck, F. A. M., Wang, Y., & Nemanich, R. J. (2006). Thermionic converters based on nanostructured carbon materials. In STAIF 2006: 10th Conf. on Thermophysics Applic. in Micrograv.; 23rd Symp. on Space Nucl. Power and Propulsion; 4th Conf.on Human/Robotic Technol. and the Nat. Vission for Space Explor. on Space Colon. (pp. 607-613). (AIP Conference Proceedings; Vol. 813). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2169241

Thermionic converters based on nanostructured carbon materials. / Koeck, Franz A.M.; Wang, Yunyu; Nemanich, Robert J.
STAIF 2006: 10th Conf. on Thermophysics Applic. in Micrograv.; 23rd Symp. on Space Nucl. Power and Propulsion; 4th Conf.on Human/Robotic Technol. and the Nat. Vission for Space Explor. on Space Colon.. 2006. p. 607-613 (AIP Conference Proceedings; Vol. 813).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Koeck, FAM, Wang, Y & Nemanich, RJ 2006, Thermionic converters based on nanostructured carbon materials. in STAIF 2006: 10th Conf. on Thermophysics Applic. in Micrograv.; 23rd Symp. on Space Nucl. Power and Propulsion; 4th Conf.on Human/Robotic Technol. and the Nat. Vission for Space Explor. on Space Colon.. AIP Conference Proceedings, vol. 813, pp. 607-613, STAIF 2006: 10th Conf. on Thermophysics Applic. in Micrograv.; 23rd Symp. on Space Nucl. Power and Propulsion; 4th Conf. on Human/Robotic Technol. and the Nat. Vision for Space Explor.; 4th Symp. on Space Coloniz.; 3rd Symp.on New Front. and Future C, Albuquerque, NM, United States, 2/12/06. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2169241

Koeck FAM, Wang Y, Nemanich RJ. Thermionic converters based on nanostructured carbon materials. In STAIF 2006: 10th Conf. on Thermophysics Applic. in Micrograv.; 23rd Symp. on Space Nucl. Power and Propulsion; 4th Conf.on Human/Robotic Technol. and the Nat. Vission for Space Explor. on Space Colon.. 2006. p. 607-613. (AIP Conference Proceedings). doi: 10.1063/1.2169241

Koeck, Franz A.M. ; Wang, Yunyu ; Nemanich, Robert J. / Thermionic converters based on nanostructured carbon materials. STAIF 2006: 10th Conf. on Thermophysics Applic. in Micrograv.; 23rd Symp. on Space Nucl. Power and Propulsion; 4th Conf.on Human/Robotic Technol. and the Nat. Vission for Space Explor. on Space Colon.. 2006. pp. 607-613 (AIP Conference Proceedings).

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abstract = "Thermionic energy converters are based on electron emission through thermal excitation and collection where the thermal energy is directly converted into electrical power. Conventional thermionic energy converters based on emission from planar metal emitters have been limited due to space charge. This paper presents a novel approach to thermionic energy conversion by focusing on nanostructured carbon materials, sulfur doped nanocrystalline diamond and carbon nanotube films as emitters. These materials exhibit intrinsic field enhancement which can be exploited in lowering the emission barrier, i.e. the effective work function. Moreover, emission from these materials is described in terms of emission sites as a result of a non-uniform spatial distribution of the field enhancement factor. This phenomenon can prove advantageous in a converter configuration to mitigate space charge effects by reducing the transit time of electrons in the gap due to an accelerated charge carrier transport.",

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Thermionic converters based on nanostructured carbon materials

Abstract

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Conference

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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