APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

• US 20110138610A1
• Filed: 02/24/2011
• Published: 06/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kumoh NAT Institute Technology, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Kumoh NAT Institute Technology, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: CHOI, Dukhyun,, CHOI, Jaeyoung, KIM, Sang-Woo
• Application Number:
  US13/034,041
• Publication Number:
  US 20110138610A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/596
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 15/00 Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/22 the conductive material comprising metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/22 Methods relating to manufacturing, e.g. assembling, calibration
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 30/81 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/221 Carbon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/01 Manufacture or treatment
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/092 Forming composite materials
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/30 with mechanical input and electrical output, e.g. functioning as generators or sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/852 Composite materials, e.g. having 1-3 or 2-2 type connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/42 Piezoelectric device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49009 Dynamoelectric machine

Abstract

An apparatus for generating electrical energy including a first electrode, a second electrode and one or more nanowires, and a method for manufacturing the apparatus for generating electrical energy. The second electrode may have a concave portion and a convex portion. The first electrode and the nanowire are formed of different materials. The nanowire is formed on the first electrode and is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. Because the nanowire is formed on the first electrode, the nanowire may be grown vertically and the uniformity and conductivity of the nanowires may be improved. When a stress is applied to the first electrode or the second electrode, the nanowire is deformed and an electric current is generated from the nanowire due to a piezoelectric effect of the nanowire and a Schottky contact between the nanowire and the electrode which makes contact with the nanowire. Accordingly, when the apparatus for generating electrical energy is bent or pressed in part, electrical energy is generated in response to the applied stress.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy, comprising:

disposing a nanowire on a first electrode layer disposed on a substrate, the first electrode layer and the nanowire being formed of different materials;

preparing a second electrode layer having a concave portion and a convex portion facing the first electrode layer, the second electrode layer being spaced apart from the first electrode layer;

bringing the nanowire into proximity to the second electrode layer; and

connecting the first electrode layer with the second electrode layer using a conductor.

2. The method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are formed of at least one of the group consisting of indium tin oxide, carbon nanotubes, a conductive polymer, nanofibers, a nanocomposite, gold-palladium alloy, gold, palladium, platinum and ruthenium.

3. The method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy according to claim 1, wherein the disposing the nanowire on the first electrode layer comprises:

forming a nanomaterial layer on the first electrode layer,

heating the nanomaterial layer so as to form one or more nanonuclei; and

forming a nanowire from each nanonucleus.

4. The method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 3, wherein

the nanomaterial layer is formed of zinc acetate, and

the nanowire is formed of zinc oxide.

5. The method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 1, wherein the preparing the second electrode layer comprises:

disposing a metal layer on a template substrate;

anodizing the metal layer so as to form an anodic film;

removing the anodic film and forming a second electrode layer on the template substrate; and

attaching the second electrode layer to a carrier substrate, and separating the second electrode layer and the carrier substrate from the template substrate.

6. The method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 5, further comprising, forming an adhesion layer on the second electrode layer prior to attaching the second electrode layer to the carrier substrate.

7. The method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 6, wherein the adhesion layer is formed of nickel.

8. The method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 1, wherein the bringing the nanowire into proximity to the second electrode layer comprises bringing the nanowire into proximity with the concave portion of the second electrode layer.

9. The method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 1, further comprising, disposing an elastic material layer on the first electrode layer on which the nanowire has been disposed.

10. The method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 9, wherein the elastic material layer is formed of at least one of the group consisting of silicone, polydimethylsiloxane, and urethane.

11. The method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 9, wherein a first distance between the first electrode layer and a top surface of the elastic material layer is equal to or less than a second distance between the first electrode layer and the top surface of the elastic material layer.

12. The method for manufacturing an apparatus for generating electrical energy, according to claim 9, further comprising, removing a portion of the elastic material layer to expose an end of the nanowire after disposing the elastic material layer on the first electrode layer.