Abstract
A new generation of thermionic converter, the microminiature thermionic converter (MTC) has been fabrication using semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) fabrication methods and micromachining manufacturing (MM) techniques. The use of IC and MM techniques allows the fabrication of MTCs with micron scale cathode to anode spacing and with anode and cathode materials which will have work functions ranging from 1 eV to 2.5 eV. The use of small cathode to anode spacing and variable electrode work functions gives the MTC the potential to convert heat energy to relatively large current densities (up to 10s of Amps/cm2) at relatively high conversion efficiencies (∼25%), well within the range of high end conventional electrical generation equipment. Tests of prototype MTCs have demonstrated energy conversion at several emitter and collector temperatures. Power generated by the prototype MTC is less than expected because of less than optimal emission characteristics encountered with the low work function materials used for the first MTC prototypes. Work is in progress to improve the thermionic emission characteristics of the low work function electrodes.
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