Type-B Energy Process: Asymmetric Function-Gated Isothermal Electricity Production

Abstract

Recently, we identified two types (A and B) of energy processes that naturally occur on Earth. Type-A energetic process such as the classical heat engines follows well the thermodynamic second law; Type-B energy process follows the first law of thermodynamics, but does not have to be constrained by the second law, owning to its special asymmetric function. The identification of type-B process inspired a novel invention on isothermal electricity production through an asymmetric function-gated power generation system. This article highlights the fundamental embodiments, scientific principles, and physics equations for the asymmetric function-gated isothermal electricity generator that comprises an exceptionally low electron-work-function surface as an isothermal electron emitter and a space gap that permits the isothermally emitted electrons to travel ballistically to a collector. The physics equations for the density of isothermal electricity current, voltage and power all clearly show that the type-B energy technology can isothermally utilize the limitless environmental heat energy to generate electricity power as long as the electron-work function of the emitter WFe is substantially lower than that of the collector WFc. It has the potential capability to forever energize many electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops, which is of great scientific and practical importance.