SELF-CHARGING ELECTRONIC DEVICES

• US 20140097786A1
• Filed: 09/03/2013
• Published: 04/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Plain Sight Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Flux Photon Corporation
• Inventors: GRIMES, Craig, KREISLER, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 9,711,670 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/101
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/035218 the quantum structure being quantum dots
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/035227 the quantum structure being quantum wires, or nanorods carbon nanotubes H10K85/211
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/046 PV modules composed of a plurality of thin film solar cells deposited on the same substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/30 Thermophotovoltaic systems photovoltaic cells specially adapted for conversion or sensing of infrared [IR] radiation H01L31/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Self-powered portable electronic devices are disclosed that have the capacity to generate their own electrical power, store electrical charge, and distribute electrical power to similarly designed devices in close proximity. Devices generate power in part using one or more non-solar thermal energy sources that have increased stability and efficiency compared to current solar cell powered devices. Devices comprise components including, control processors, data storage, energy storage, dedicated energy and power management processors, and thermophotovoltaic cells that convert thermal energy into electrical power. Devices are capable of transmitting and receiving energy, power, voice and data information using standard frequencies associated with portable devices. Additionally, the invention discloses methods, systems, and apparatuses comprising circuitry that can control power generation from multiple thermophotovoltaic cells and traditional power sources.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor for storing instructions, which when executed from the memory, cause the processor to perform one or more functions;

a battery coupled to the processor to provide power to the processor and the memory; and

a battery charging manager coupled to the battery to charge the battery using power derived from one to a plurality of power sources including one or more thermophotovoltaic cells to provide power to be used to charge the battery and/or provide power to operate the electronic device, wherein the battery charging manager is configured to automatically detect and select from amongst available power sources to charge the battery.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the battery charging manager is configured to select one of the power sources to charge the battery given a particular operating environment of the electronic device.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are external to the electronic device and are coupled to the battery charging manager via an interface circuit, wherein one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are removable from the electronic device.

4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are integrated within a thermophotovoltaic power package external to the electronic device and non-fixedly plugged into the interface circuit, and the thermophotovoltaic power package includes a thermophotovoltaic power charger to charge the battery of the electronic device using power derived from one or more thermophotovoltaic cells.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the thermophotovoltaic power package further comprises an auxiliary battery coupled to and charged by the thermophotovoltaic power charger, wherein when the thermophotovoltaic power package is coupled to the electronic device, the auxiliary battery is used to charge the battery of the electronic device, and wherein the thermophotovoltaic power package is a portable package.

6. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of power sources comprises a power source received through a communication connection of the electronic device.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the communication connection comprises at least one of an Ethernet compatible connection, a universal serial bus (USB) compatible connection, an IEEE-1394 compatible connection, and a wireless connection.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a device selected from a group consisting of:

a computer;

a media player;

a cellular phone;

a smartphone;

an internet-capable device;

a personal digital assistant;

an image capture or processing device;

a handheld or other portable computing device;

a light emitting diode or other lighting device;

a watch, garment or other wearable device;

a pacemaker or other implanted or medical device;

a transformer or other electrical component;

an alternator;

a surge protector;

a conventional solar powered device;

a battery; and

, an electric vehicle.

86. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is comprised at least in part of one or more thermophotovoltaic cells.

87. The electronic device of claim 86, wherein the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells produce thermophotovoltaic power upon absorption of thermal energy,

wherein at least a portion of the thermal energy derives from one or more components of the electronic device, and,

wherein at least a portion of the produced thermophotovoltaic power is used to provide power to operate the electronic device.

88. The electronic device of claim 87, wherein the electronic device has no means of connecting to an external power source by a cable or other physical connection.

89. The electronic device of claim 87, wherein the electronic device receives power from an external source coupled wirelessly to the electronic device, and/or wherein the electronic device provides surplus charge wirelessly to proximate devices.

90. The electronic device of claim 86, wherein one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are further comprised at least in part of one or more substances, nanostructures or other aspects comprised of one or more first compositions, and which are in communication with one or more substances, nanostructures or other aspects comprised of one or more second compositions tuned for absorption of radiation.

91. The electronic device of claim 90, wherein the one or more aspects are comprised at least in part of vertically-oriented, one-dimensional, monocrystalline, n-type anatase nanowires or nanotubes in communication with a common conductive substrate, and which are intercalated with a consortia of p-type quantum dots tuned for absorption of radiation.

92. The electronic device of claim 90, wherein the aspects tuned for absorption of radiation absorb and convert at least a portion of the energy contained in infrared radiation into electrical energy.

93. The electronic device of claim 90, wherein the aspects tuned for absorption of radiation absorb and convert at least a portion of the energy contained in radiation other than infrared radiation into electrical energy.

94. The electronic device of claim 90, wherein the aspects tuned for absorption of radiation include thermoelectric aspects tuned to utilize temperature differentials to directly convert thermal energy into electricity.

106. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein when the thermophotovoltaic power package is coupled to the electronic device, the battery of the electronic device is used to charge the auxiliary battery.

9. A method for providing power to an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:

determining statuses of a plurality of power sources available to the electronic device, the plurality of power sources including a thermophotovoltaic power source, the thermophotovoltaic power source including one or more thermophotovoltaic cells to provide power to be used to charge the battery and/or provide power to operate the electronic device; and

selecting one of the plurality of power sources to charge a battery of the electronic device, including selecting the thermophotovoltaic power source when an operating environment is appropriate, wherein the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are detected and selected automatically.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of deriving thermophotovoltaic power from the thermophotovoltaic power source to charge the battery, wherein the thermophotovoltaic power source comprises one or more thermophotovoltaic cells.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are external to the electronic device and coupled to the device via an interface circuit, and wherein one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are removable from the electronic device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are integrated within a thermophotovoltaic power package external to the electronic device and non-fixedly plugged into the interface circuit, and wherein the thermophotovoltaic power package includes a thermophotovoltaic power charger to charge the battery of the electronic device using the thermophotovoltaic power derived from the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the thermophotovoltaic power package further comprises an auxiliary battery coupled to and charged by the thermophotovoltaic charger, wherein when the thermophotovoltaic power package is coupled to the electronic device, the auxiliary battery is used to charge the battery of the electronic device, wherein the thermophotovoltaic power package is a portable package.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of power sources comprise a power source received via a communication connection of the electronic device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the communication connection comprises at least one of an Ethernet compatible connection, a universal serial bus (USB) compatible connection, an IEEE-1394 compatible connection, and a wireless connection.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the electronic device is a device selected from a group consisting of:

a computer;

a media player;

a cellular phone;

a smartphone;

an internet-capable device;

a personal digital assistant;

an image capture or processing device;

a handheld or other portable computing device;

a light emitting diode or other lighting device;

a watch, garment or other wearable device;

a pacemaker or other implanted or medical device;

a transformer or other electrical component;

an alternator;

a surge protector;

a conventional solar powered device;

a battery; and

, an electric vehicle.

107. The method of claim 13, wherein when the thermophotovoltaic power package is coupled to the electronic device, the battery of the electronic device is used to charge the auxiliary battery.

17. An apparatus for providing power to an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

means for determining statuses of one to a plurality of power sources available to the electronic device, the one to a plurality of power sources including a thermophotovoltaic power source, the thermophotovoltaic power source including one or more thermophotovoltaic cells to provide thermophotovoltaic power to be used to charge the battery and/or provide power to operate the electronic device; and

means for selecting one of the plurality of power sources to charge a battery of the electronic device, including selecting the thermophotovoltaic power source when an operating environment is appropriate, wherein the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are detected and selected automatically.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising means for deriving thermophotovoltaic power from the thermophotovoltaic power source to charge the battery, wherein the thermophotovoltaic power source comprises one or more thermophotovoltaic cells.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are external to the electronic device and coupled to the electronic device via an interface circuit, and wherein one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are removable from the electronic device.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are integrated within a thermophotovoltaic power package external to the electronic device and non-fixedly plugged into the interface circuit, and wherein the thermophotovoltaic power package includes a thermophotovoltaic power charger to charge the battery of the electronic device using the thermophotovoltaic power derived from the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the thermophotovoltaic power package further comprises an auxiliary battery coupled to and charged by the thermophotovoltaic charger, wherein when the thermophotovoltaic power package is coupled to the electronic device, the auxiliary battery is used to charge the battery of the electronic device, and wherein the thermophotovoltaic power package is a portable package.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of power sources comprises a power source received via a communication connection of the electronic device.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the communication connection comprises at least one of an Ethernet compatible connection, a USB (universal serial bus) compatible connection, an IEEE-1394 compatible connection, and a wireless connection.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the electronic device is a device selected from a group consisting of:

a computer;

a media player;

a cellular phone;

a smartphone;

an internet-capable device;

a personal digital assistant;

an image capture or processing device;

a handheld or other portable computing device;

a light emitting diode or other lighting device;

a watch, garment or other wearable device;

a pacemaker or other implanted or medical device;

a transformer or other electrical component;

an alternator;

a surge protector;

a conventional solar powered device;

a battery; and

, an electric vehicle.

108. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein when the thermophotovoltaic power package is coupled to the electronic device, the battery of the electronic device is used to charge the auxiliary battery.

25. A portable thermophotovoltaic power package, comprising:

one or more thermophotovoltaic cells;

a thermophotovoltaic power charger coupled to the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells; and

a power output interface coupled to the thermophotovoltaic power charger capable of being coupled to an electronic device, wherein the thermophotovoltaic power charger is configured to charge a battery of the electronic device using thermophotovoltaic power derived from the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells, wherein the thermophotovoltaic power charger is automatically detected and selected to charge the battery of the electronic device in a plug-and-play fashion when the electronic device is coupled to the power output interface.

26. The portable thermophotovoltaic power package of claim 25, further comprising an auxiliary battery coupled between the thermophotovoltaic power charger and the power output interface, wherein the thermophotovoltaic power charger is configured to charge the auxiliary battery using the thermophotovoltaic power derived from the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells, and wherein the auxiliary battery is used to charge the battery of the electronic device when the electronic device is coupled to the power output interface.

27. The portable thermophotovoltaic power package of claim 25, wherein the power output interface is capable of being non-fixedly coupled with the electronic device.

28. The portable thermophotovoltaic power package of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells is removable from the portable thermophotovoltaic power package.

29. The portable thermophotovoltaic power package of claim 25, wherein the electronic device is a device selected from a group consisting of:

a computer;

a media player;

a cellular phone;

a smartphone;

an internet-capable device;

a personal digital assistant;

an image capture or processing device;

a handheld or other portable computing device;

a light emitting diode or other lighting device;

a watch, garment or other wearable device;

a pacemaker or other implanted or medical device;

a transformer or other electrical component;

an alternator;

a surge protector;

a conventional solar powered device;

a battery; and

, an electric vehicle.

30. A thermophotovoltaic power package for use with an electronic device, the package comprising:

one or more thermophotovoltaic cells operable to derive thermophotovoltaic power from thermal energy; and

a power charger operable to provide the derived thermophotovoltaic power to the electronic device, wherein the derived thermophotovoltaic power is provided in a plug-and-play fashion when the electronic device is coupled to the package, and wherein the power charger is operative to adjust the amount of power provided to the electronic device based on attributes of the electronic device.

31. The thermophotovoltaic power package of claim 30, wherein the power charger is further operable to provide the derived thermophotovoltaic power to the electronic device by charging a battery of the electronic device.

32. The thermophotovoltaic power package of claim 30, further comprising an accessory battery, wherein:

the power charger is further operable to charge the accessory battery with the derived thermophotovoltaic power; and

the accessory battery is operable to provide the derived thermophotovoltaic power to the electronic device.

33. The thermophotovoltaic power package of claim 30, further comprising an accessory battery and wherein the power charger is further operable to concurrently:

provide a first portion of the derived thermophotovoltaic power to the electronic device; and

charge the accessory battery with a second portion of the derived thermophotovoltaic power.

34. The thermophotovoltaic power package of claim 30, wherein one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are removable from the thermophotovoltaic power package.

35. The thermophotovoltaic power package of claim 30, wherein the thermophotovoltaic power package is capable of being plugged into and removed from the electronic device.

36. The thermophotovoltaic power package of claim 30, wherein the power charger is further operable to be enabled to provide the derived thermophotovoltaic power to the electronic device based on the status of the package.

109. The thermophotovoltaic power package of claim 30, wherein the power charger of the thermophotovoltaic power package is operable to charge the accessory battery using derived thermophotovoltaic power produced by and provided from the electronic device.

37. A method for providing power to an electronic device with a thermophotovoltaic power package, the method comprising:

deriving thermophotovoltaic power with the thermophotovoltaic power package;

determining that the thermophotovoltaic power package is coupled to the electronic device;

adjusting the amount of power provided by the thermophotovoltaic power package to the electronic device based on attributes of the electronic device; and

providing the derived thermophotovoltaic power to the electronic device in response to determining that the thermophotovoltaic power package is coupled to the electronic device.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the determining further comprises detecting that the derived thermophotovoltaic power is appropriate for the electronic device.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the providing the derived thermophotovoltaic power comprises charging a battery of the electronic device with the derived thermophotovoltaic power.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising storing the derived thermophotovoltaic power in an accessory battery of the thermophotovoltaic power package, wherein the providing the derived thermophotovoltaic power comprises providing the derived thermophotovoltaic power stored in the accessory battery.

41. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

determining that the thermophotovoltaic power package is not coupled to the electronic device; and

storing the derived thermophotovoltaic power in an accessory battery of the thermophotovoltaic power package in response to the determining that the thermophotovoltaic power package is not coupled to the electronic device.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein the thermophotovoltaic power package is external to the electronic device.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein the electronic device is a device selected from a group consisting of:

a computer;

a media player;

a cellular phone;

an internet-capable device;

a personal digital assistant;

an image capture or processing device;

a handheld or other portable computing device;

a light emitting diode or other lighting device;

a watch, garment or other wearable device;

a pacemaker or other implanted or medical device;

a transformer or other electrical component;

an alternator;

a surge protector;

a conventional solar powered device;

a battery; and

, an electric vehicle.

44. A power package for providing thermophotovoltaic power to an external device, the power package comprising:

a thermophotovoltaic power source operable to derive thermophotovoltaic power from thermal energy; and

an auxiliary battery operable to;

be charged with the derived thermophotovoltaic power, wherein the amount of derived thermophotovoltaic power provided to the auxiliary battery is adjusted based on attributes of the auxiliary battery; and

provide the derived thermophotovoltaic power to the external device in response to the external device being coupled to the power package in a plug-and-play fashion.

45. The power package of claim 44, wherein the auxiliary battery is further operable to provide the derived thermophotovoltaic power to the external device in a plug-and-play fashion.

46. The power package of claim 44, wherein:

the auxiliary battery is further operable to provide the derived thermophotovoltaic power in response to the external device selecting the power package from at least two power sources; and

the at least two power sources provides power via one or more of an Ethernet compatible connection, a USB (universal serial bus) compatible connection, an IEEE-1394 compatible connection, or a wireless connection.

47. The power package of claim 44, wherein the auxiliary battery is further operable to charge an external battery of the external device with the derived thermophotovoltaic power.

48. The power package of claim 44, wherein the power package is portable.

49. The power package of claim 44, wherein the plug-and-play fashion comprises:

automatically detecting that the power package is coupled to the external device; and

determining that the derived thermophotovoltaic power is appropriate for use in the external device.

50. The power package of claim 44, wherein the auxiliary battery is further operable to concurrently:

be charged with a first portion of the derived thermophotovoltaic power; and

provide a second portion of the derived thermophotovoltaic power to the external device.

110. The power package of claim 44, wherein the auxiliary battery is further operable to be charged with derived from thermophotovoltaic power produced by and provided from the external device.

51. A system comprising:

a thermophotovoltaic power source;

a sensing unit;

an output node coupled to the sensing unit;

a regulator having first, second, and third nodes, the first node coupled to the thermophotovoltaic power source and the second node coupled to the sensing unit; and

a controller coupled to the output node, the sensing unit, and the third node of the regulator, the controller operative to;

control operation of the regulator based on a voltage signal at the output node and a current signal detected by the sensing unit; and

maintain a peak power condition by setting a voltage operating point for the regulator.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the thermophotovoltaic power source comprises at least one thermophotovoltaic cell.

53. The system of claim 51 further comprising a load coupled to the output node.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the load comprises at least one of a battery, a battery charger, and an electronic device.

55. The system of claim 51, wherein the sensing unit comprises a current sensor.

56. The system of claim 55, further comprising a resistor coupled to the output node and a load, wherein the current sensor measures a voltage drop across the resistor to determine the current signal at the output node.

57. The system of claim 51, wherein the controller maintains the peak power condition by setting the voltage operating point for the regulator based on at least one of the voltage signal at the output node and the current signal detected by the sensing unit.

58. The system of claim 51, wherein the setting the voltage operating point for the regulator comprises generating a control signal to control the regulator to adjust a switching duty cycle of at least one switching unit.

59. The system of claim 51 further comprising an inductor coupled to the thermophotovoltaic power source and to the regulator, wherein the regulator comprises a first switch and a second switch, and wherein the setting the voltage operating point comprises the regulator:

turning the first switch on for a first period; and

turning the second switch on for a second period.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein when the regulator turns the first switch on for the first period, a first voltage is produced across the inductor, and when the regulator turns the second switch on for the second period, a second voltage is produced across the inductor.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein:

a first incremental current is produced across the inductor in response to the produced first voltage;

a second incremental current is produced across the inductor in response to the produced second voltage; and

the voltage operating point is set when the first incremental current and the second incremental current are substantially equal.

62. The system of claim 51, wherein the controller controls operation of the regulator to maintain a charging operation of a battery charger coupled to the output node or to manage charging of a battery coupled to the output node.

63. The system of claim 51, wherein the controller comprises a programmable controlling unit.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the programmable controlling unit comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA) configured to execute instructions stored in the controller based on at least one of the voltage signal at the output node and the current signal detected by the sensing unit.

65. The system of claim 51, wherein the regulator further comprises at least one switching unit.

66. The system of claim 65, wherein the at least one switch unit comprises a transistor.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the transistor comprises at least one of a field effect transistor (FET) and bi-polar transistor.

68. The system of claim 51, wherein the regulator further comprises a switching regulator.

69. The system of claim 68, wherein the switching regulator comprises a pulse width modulator, and wherein the controller controls the operation of the regulator by controlling a timing of operation of the pulse width modulator.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the pulse width modulator is included as part of the controller in the form of at least one of digital logic circuitry and software.

71. The system of claim 51, wherein the regulator further comprises at least one capacitor configured to store energy derived from the thermophotovoltaic power source.

72. The system of claim 51, wherein the regulator further comprises at least one inductor configured to store energy during a switching duty cycle of the regulator.

73. A method for providing power to an electronic device, the method comprising:

determining statuses of one to a plurality of power sources available to the electronic device, the plurality of power sources including a thermophotovoltaic power source, the thermophotovoltaic power source including one or more thermophotovoltaic cells to provide power to be used to charge the battery; and

selecting one of the plurality of power sources to charge a battery of the electronic device, including selecting the thermophotovoltaic power source when an operating environment is appropriate, wherein the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are detected and selected automatically.

74. An apparatus for providing power to an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

means for determining statuses of a plurality of power sources available to the electronic device, the plurality of power sources including a thermophotovoltaic power source, the thermophotovoltaic power source including one or more thermophotovoltaic cells to provide thermophotovoltaic power to be used to charge the battery, wherein the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are capable of being plugged into and removed from the electronic device; and

means for selecting one of the plurality of power sources to charge a battery of the electronic device, including selecting the thermophotovoltaic power source when an operating environment is appropriate, wherein the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are plugged in, the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are detected and selected automatically in a plug-and-play fashion.

75. A method for providing power to an electronic device with a thermophotovoltaic power package, the method comprising:

deriving thermophotovoltaic power with the thermophotovoltaic power package;

adjusting the amount of power provided by the thermophotovoltaic power package to the electronic device based on attributes of the electronic device; and

,

providing the derived thermophotovoltaic power on demand upon determining the charge status of the electronic device.

76. The method of operating an electronic device using electricity produced by one or more thermophotovoltaic cells at least in part comprising:

absorption of thermal energy by one or more thermophotovoltaic cells,

wherein at least a portion of the thermal energy derives from one or more components of the electronic device, and

wherein at least a portion of the thermal energy is at least in part communicated to at least some aspect or portion of one or more thermophotovoltaic cells by emission of infrared radiation;

production of electricity by the one or more thermophotovoltaic cells, wherein at least a portion of the produced electricity is produced by converting at least a portion of the energy contained in the infrared radiation into electrical energy; and

,

using the produced electricity to provide at least a portion of the electricity to operate one or more components of the electronic device.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein at least a portion of the absorbed thermal energy derives from at least some aspect or portion of one or more thermophotovoltaic cells.

78. The method of claim 76, wherein at least a portion of the absorbed thermal energy derives from the user of the electronic device.

79. The method of claim 76, wherein at least a portion of the absorbed thermal energy derives from one or more sources external to the electronic device.

80. The method of claim 76, wherein at least a portion of the absorbed thermal energy is produced upon conduction or convection of thermal energy by at least one component of the electronic device.

81. The method of claim 76, wherein at least a portion of the absorbed thermal energy is produced upon absorption of infrared radiation and other radiation by at least one component of the electronic device.

82. The method of claim 76, wherein at least a portion of the absorbed thermal energy is produced upon recombination of one or more photogenerated charges by at least one component of the electronic device.

83. The method of claim 76, wherein at least some of the produced electricity is produced by one or more thermophotovoltaic cells following conversion of infrared radiation into electricity.

84. The method of claim 76, wherein at least some of the produced electricity is produced following conversion of at least some radiation other than infrared radiation into electricity.

85. The method of claim 76, wherein at least some of the produced electricity is produced by one or more thermoelectric aspects of one or more thermophotovoltaic cells which utilize local temperature differentials to directly convert thermal energy into electricity.

95. A self-charging electronic device, comprised at least in part of:

one or more components which require electricity to function; and

one or more thermophotovoltaic cells which produce electricity upon absorption of thermal energy,

wherein at least a portion of the absorbed thermal energy is communicated to one or more thermophotovoltaic cells by emission of infrared radiation,

wherein at least a portion of the absorbed thermal energy derives from one or more components of the self-charging electronic device,

wherein at least a portion of the produced electricity is produced by converting at least a portion of the energy contained in infrared radiation into electrical energy, and,

wherein at least a portion of the produced electricity is used to operate one or more components of the self-charging electronic device.

96. The self-charging electronic device of claim 95, wherein the self-charging electronic device has no means of connecting to an external power source by a cable or other physical connection.

97. The self-charging electronic device of claim 95, wherein the self-charging electronic device receives power from an external source coupled wirelessly to the self-charging electronic device.

98. The self-charging electronic device of claim 95, wherein the self-charging electronic device provides surplus power wirelessly to coupled proximate devices.

99. The self-charging electronic device of claim 95, wherein one or more thermophotovoltaic cells are further comprised at least in part of one or more substances, nanostructures or other aspects comprised of one or more first compositions, and which are in communication with one or more substances, nanostructures or other aspects comprised of one or more second compositions tuned for absorption of radiation.

100. The self-charging electronic device of claim 99, wherein the one or more aspects are comprised at least in part of vertically-oriented, one-dimensional, monocrystalline, n-type anatase nanowires or nanotubes in communication with a common conductive substrate, and which are intercalated with a consortia of p-type quantum dots tuned for absorption of radiation.

101. The self-charging electronic device of claim 99, wherein the aspects tuned for absorption of radiation absorb and convert at least a portion of the energy contained in infrared radiation into electrical energy.

102. The self-charging electronic device of claim 99, wherein the aspects tuned for absorption of radiation absorb and convert at least a portion of the energy contained in radiation other than infrared radiation into electrical energy.

103. The electronic device of claim 99, wherein the aspects tuned for absorption of radiation include thermoelectric aspects tuned to utilize temperature differentials to directly convert thermal energy into electricity.

104. The self-charging electronic device of claim 95, wherein at least a portion of the thermal energy is produced by recombination of one or more photogenerated charges following absorption of radiation by one or more thermophotovoltaic cells.

105. The self-charging electronic device of claim 95, wherein the electronic device is a device selected from a group consisting of:

a computer;

a media player;

a cellular phone;

a smartphone;

an internet-capable device;

a personal digital assistant;

an image capture or processing device;

a handheld or other portable computing device;

a light emitting diode or other lighting device;

a watch, garment or other wearable device;

a pacemaker or other implanted or medical device;

a transformer or other electrical component;

an alternator;

a surge protector;

a conventional solar powered device;

a battery; and

, an electric vehicle.