Structures, systems and methods for harvesting energy from electromagnetic radiation
First Claim
1. An energy harvesting device, comprising:
- a substrate;
at least one resonance element associated with the substrate, the at least one resonance element configured to have a resonant frequency between approximately 20 THz and approximately 1,000 THz;
a layer of conductive material over a surface of the substrate;
an optical resonance gap extending a distance between the at least one resonance element and the layer of conductive material of approximately one-quarter wavelength of a wavelength of the at least one resonance element'"'"'s resonant frequency; and
at least one energy transfer element associated with the at least one resonance element.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods, devices and systems for harvesting energy from electromagnetic radiation are provided including harvesting energy from electromagnetic radiation. In one embodiment, a device includes a substrate and one or more resonance elements disposed in or on the substrate. The resonance elements are configured to have a resonant frequency, for example, in at least one of the infrared, near-infrared and visible light spectra. A layer of conductive material may be disposed over a portion of the substrate to form a ground plane. An optical resonance gap or stand-off layer may be formed between the resonance elements and the ground plane. The optical resonance gap extends a distance between the resonance elements and the layer of conductive material approximately one-quarter wavelength of a wavelength of the at least one resonance element'"'"'s resonant frequency. At least one energy transfer element may be associated with the at least one resonance element.
-
Citations
23 Claims
-
1. An energy harvesting device, comprising:
-
a substrate; at least one resonance element associated with the substrate, the at least one resonance element configured to have a resonant frequency between approximately 20 THz and approximately 1,000 THz; a layer of conductive material over a surface of the substrate; an optical resonance gap extending a distance between the at least one resonance element and the layer of conductive material of approximately one-quarter wavelength of a wavelength of the at least one resonance element'"'"'s resonant frequency; and at least one energy transfer element associated with the at least one resonance element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of harvesting energy, the method comprising:
-
providing at least one resonance element formed of an electrically conductive material and having a resonant frequency between approximately 20 THz and approximately 1,000 THz; exposing the at least one resonance element to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency substantially the same as the resonant frequency; absorbing at least a first portion of the electromagnetic radiation with the at least one resonance element; reflecting at least a second portion of the electromagnetic radiation off of a defined surface; absorbing at least a portion of the at least a second portion of the electromagnetic radiation with the at least one resonance element; and transferring alternating current (AC) induced energy from the at least one resonance element via at least one energy transfer element. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method of harvesting energy;
-
providing at least one resonance element formed of an electrically conductive material; exposing the at least one resonance element to electromagnetic radiation radiated from the earth; inducing resonance in the at least one resonance element to produce AC (alternating current) energy; and transferring AC induced energy from the at least one resonance element via at least one energy transfer element.
-
Specification