Converting thermal energy to electricity using nanomaterials

• Main Author: Xu, Vivian Wei.
• Other Authors: Ang Lay Kee Ricky
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Electric power
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/17061
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Thermionic electron emission is a key phenomenon utilized in a variety of applications, from display communications, space propulsion to direct energy conversion. Thermionic converters are an interesting option for lightweight and long-life power generators due to a number of compelling advantages, including all solid construction, no moving parts, and waste heat rejection at high temperature. New class of very high temperature compatible materials, like Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are currently being investigated for their performance as thermionic emitter cathodes for possible thermionic applications due to their long life time, their ability to be produced in aligned arrays, and their nanoscale tip geometry based on their diameter. In this project an experiment is conducted to test with field emission system by using nanostructure materials i.e. Carbon Nanotubes, Nano Zinc Oxide (ZnO); and obtain the corresponding current-temperature data to look into potential therminioic application of these films. For the conventional emitters a very high temperature in the excess of 1000K is required to obtain a significant emission current. Due to the limitation of the heater provided in the project, a highest temperature of 573K will be applied to the test sample. For the field emission to occur, electric fields will be provided in the same time. The results indicated a general consistency of the field emission and thermionic emission from the same films. The potential for the thermionic energy conversion based on these films is presented. The Field Emission System base on the LABVIEW language is used to control measure and process monitoring of the field emission test.