Thermionic generation with Nanogap

Thermionic generation is a method of power generation in which power is generated by collecting emitted electrons from hot electrode. Normally it requires a high temperature of 1000 ℃ or more. However, by shortening the gap between the electrodes to several nanometers, (using ‘Nanogap’), electrons tunnel the gap, and the method works at room temperature.

 In this research, we characterized the field emission on Nanogap which is fabricated by silicon cleavage fracture by experiments and theoretical calculation.

[Applications]

• Thermionic generation
• Electronic  cooling device