The present disclosure relates to micro-electromechanical systems, devices and methods for harvesting electrical energy from mechanical movements as well as for use as chemical and displacement sensors.
Micro-electromechanical devices and systems utilize piezoelectric, electromagnetic or electrostatic converters for converting mechanical movement into electrical energy.
As shown schematically in
If a distance between first and second plates 102 and 104 due to relative displacement in direction G1 is large enough, the charge on the capacitors is redistributed and the electric current flows as schematically illustrated in
Electrostatic converters that employ electrets are disclosed exemplarily by T. Tsutsumino, Y. Suzuki, N. Kasagi, K. Kashiwagi, Y. Morizawa in “Efficiency Evaluation of Micro Seismic Electret Power Generator”, Proceedings of the 23rd Sensor Symposium 2006, Takamatsu, pp. 521-524; by Ma Wei, Zhu Ruiqing, Rufer Libor, Zohar Yitshak, Wong Man in “An integrated floating-electrode electric microgenerator”, Journal of microelectromechanical systems, v. 16, (1), 2007, February, p. 29-37; and in U.S. Pat. No. 8,796,902 to TATSUAKIRA et al. titled “Electrostatic Induction Power Generator”.
The lifetime of a known electrostatic converter such as converter 100 depends, inter alia, on the charge stability implanted inside the electret.
The description above is presented as a general overview of related art in this field and should not be construed as an admission that any of the information it contains constitutes prior art against the present patent application.
Aspects of embodiments relate to a micro-electromechanical device (MEMD) for sensing and for harvesting electrical energy responsive to being subjected to mechanical forces, comprising: at least one first conductive element fixedly mounted on a first support, wherein the at least one first conductive element is chargeable with electrons; and at least one second conductive element which is inertia-mounted on a second support such that the first and second supports are electrically isolated from each other.
Optionally, the MEMD comprises a floating gate charging device (FGCD) having a tunnel oxide, the floating gate charging device used for charging the at least one first fixedly mounted conductive element selectively and controllably by tunneling electrons through the tunnel oxide into the at least one first fixedly mounted conductive element.
Optionally, the FGCD further comprises a source and drain for tunneling hot electrons to a floating gate of the FGCD responsive to applying a voltage between the source and the drain.
Optionally, the FGCD has a charging polarity and a discharging polarity, wherein the discharging polarity is used to drain the electrons out of the at least one first fixedly mounted conductive element.
Optionally, the MEMD further comprises an electronic circuit operably coupled with the at least one inertia-mounted second inertia-mounted conductive element for reading out charge displacement in the at least one second inertia-mounted conductive element resulting from relative movement between the at least one first fixedly mounted conductive element and the at least one second inertia-mounted conductive element.
Optionally, the MEMD comprises a plurality of FGCDs such that each FGCD charges one or more first fixedly mounted conductive elements.
Optionally, the MEMD comprises a plurality of first fixedly mounted conductive elements that are electrically isolated from each other.
Optionally, the MEMD comprises a plurality of first fixedly mounted conductive elements electrically conductively coupled with each other.
Optionally, the MEMD comprises a plurality of second conductive inertia-mounted elements arranged to form a comb-like structure.
Optionally, the induced electrons displacement is rectified for the charging of a battery or the powering of an electrical device.
Optionally, the induced electrons displacement is measured for obtaining a value indicative of a displacement of the MEMD.
Optionally, the at least one first fixedly mounted conductive element is highly doped with Donors atoms to form N type silicon.
Optionally, the at least one first fixedly mounted conductive element is highly doped with Acceptors atoms to form P type silicon such that the charging electrons recombine with holes such that the first fixedly mounted conductive element is charged by negatively charged Acceptor ions.
Aspects of embodiments may also relate to a chemical sensor comprising an MEMD, wherein a negatively charged first fixedly mounted conductive member is used for sensing the presence of positively charged molecules or ions by redistributing the electrons in the second conductive inertia-mounted element upon adhering of such molecules or ions to the at least one first fixedly mounted conductive element.
Optionally, the at least one first fixedly mounted conductive element comprises a chemically modified surface to attract a specific type of molecules and/or ions, such that electrons are redistributed in the second conductive inertia-mounted element upon adhering of such molecules or ions to the first fixedly mounted conductive element.
Optionally, a chemical sensor comprises an FGCD and at least one first conductive element having a surface, wherein the at least one first conductive element is chargeable through the FGCD to create a potential difference between a charging gate of the FGCD and a reference potential and such that molecules and/or ions can adhere to the surface, wherein the adhering causes the electrons to redistribute in the at least one first conductive element, modifying the potential difference between a charging gate of the FGCD and the reference potential.
Optionally, a chemical sensor comprises an FGCD and at least one first conductive element having a surface that is chemically modified to attract specific type of molecules and/or ions, wherein the at least one first conductive element is chargeable through the FGCD to create a potential difference between a charging gate of the FGCD and a reference potential and such that when said specific type of molecules and/or ions adhere to the surface, the electrons in the at least one first conductive element redistribute and modify the potential difference between a charging gate of the FGCD and the reference potential.
Aspects of embodiments may also relate to a system which comprises a plurality of chemical sensors. Optionally, a conductive element of the plurality of chemical sensors is modified in a manner to attract a first type of molecules and/or ions; and wherein another conductive element of plurality of chemical sensors is modified in another manner to attract another type of molecules and/or ions.
Aspects of embodiments may relate to a method of fabricating the MEMD and/or the chemical sensor such that the at least one first fixedly mounted conductive element, the at least one second inertia-mounted conductive element and the FGCD are fabricated on a single wafer such that first fixedly mounted conductive element, the at least one second conductive inertia-mounted element and the FGCD are electrically isolated from each other while the floating gate of FGCD is electrically coupled with the first fixedly mounted conductive element.
Optionally, the method comprises providing an electrical isolating barrier for isolating the FGCD from the at least one first conductive fixedly mounted element.
Optionally, the at least one first fixedly mounted conductive element and the at least one second inertia-mounted conductive element are fabricated on one wafer and the FGCD is fabricated on a second wafer such that when the two wafers are bonded to each other an electrical connection is formed between the floating gate of the FGCD and the at least one first conductive fixedly mounted element.
Optionally, the at least one first fixedly mounted conductive element and the at least one second inertia mounted conductive elements are fabricated from Single Crystal Silicon.
Aspects of embodiments may also relate to a method for charging the MEMD. Optionally, the charging or discharging includes a plurality of charging or discharging cycles.
Optionally, each charging or discharging cycle may take less than one second.
This summary is provided to introduce, in a simplified form, a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The figures illustrate generally, by way of example but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present disclosure.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements. Furthermore, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. The figures are listed below.
The following description of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Devices (MEMD), systems and methods for energy harvesting and/or sensing is given with reference to particular examples, with the understanding that such devices, systems and methods are not limited to these examples.
The expression “energy harvesting” as used herein, as well as grammatical variations thereof, refers to the conversion of mechanical motion into electric energy. Such mechanical motion may the result of acceleration and/or vibration on an MEMD according to embodiments. Accordingly, an MEMD according to an embodiment may function as a displacement sensor. Vibrations may be periodic or random or result from forces such as Coriolis force in MEMD gyroscopes. In some embodiments, an MEMD may be employed for energy harvesting. Sensed mechanical motion may be desirable or undesirable (“wasting energy”). Sources of undesirable vibration include, for example, vibrational motions of engines, friction, movement of a tire on a road, walking, mammalian organ and vascular movement, etc.
A micro-electromechanical device (MEMD) includes according to some embodiments one or more first electrically conductive element that are electrically isolated from their surroundings and are selectively electrically chargeable in a controlled manner, and one or more second electrically conductive elements that are electrically isolated from the first member(s). Furthermore, the first conductive elements may also be electrically isolated from one another. The first conductive element can be selectively charged independent of the amount of overlap and/or proximity between the first conductive element and the second inertia-mounted elements.
Merely to simplify the discussion that follows, without it being construed as limiting, the first and second conductive element(s) are each herein referred to in the plural, i.e., as “conductive elements”.
The first conductive elements may be made of any suitable solid state material including, for example, silicon. The first conductive element(s) may be selectively electrically chargeable by employing for example a floating gate charging device (FGCD) that may charge the first conductive element by tunnelling electrons through a thin layer of oxide. In some embodiments, corona charging and/or electron-beam charging techniques may be employed.
The first and/or second conductive elements are oscillatingly mounted to allow them to alternatingly approach and move away from each other when the MEMD is subjected to vibration forces of sufficiently high magnitude. Responsive to the conductive elements movement relative to each other, an alternating current is induced in the MEMD. In one embodiment, either the first or the second conductive elements are coupled with, or constitute an inertia-mounted conductive element. The expression “inertia-mounted” on a support means a conductive element which is mounted such as to be less responsive to a change in external forces compared to being “fixedly mounted” on the support. Hence, when one conductive element is inertia-mounted and another conductive element is “fixedly-mounted” on the same support, and the support is subjected to mechanical forces of sufficient magnitude, relative movement occurs between the inertia-mounted and fixedly-mounted conductive elements. For simplicity, these elements are sometimes referred to herein as “fixed elements” and “inertia elements”.
According to some embodiments, the first conductive elements may be part of a charging arrangement, as outlined and exemplified in more detail herein below. The first conductive elements are isolated from the second conductive elements and from the substrate. The second conductive elements may be connected to an electrical circuit so that charge movement therein is induced upon relative movement between the first and second conductive elements. In some embodiments, a floating gate charging device may be employed to charge an electret. In another embodiment, the MEMD may be operable while being electret-free. Moreover, in some embodiments, the MEMD may be configured and operative so that first conductive elements are selectively rechargeable and/or drainable of their electric charge. According to some embodiments, the first conductive elements may be charged after completion of MEMD packaging and/or close to the use of the MEMD, for example, in less than 1 second or in less than 0.5 seconds. Standard fabrication technologies can be used to manufacture MEMD(s) disclosed herein while improving device usability and its compatibility with state of the art VLSI.
In an embodiment, the first and second conductive elements may, for example, be manufactured using a Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) wafer (e.g., a silicon carry wafer coated by thin layer of oxide and on top of it bonded silicon layer), or a Silicon on Glass (SOG) wafer.
The expression “electrically isolated” with respect to the “first conductive element(s)” as used herein may refer to a state in which the first conductive element(s), under normal operating conditions, are electrically isolated from the wafer substrate, e.g., through an oxide layer and from each other by space. Such normal conditions exclude the application of electron leakage from the first conductive element to the substrate or to the other conductive element from which the first conductive element is isolated, for example, by air, inert gas, or vacuum. The separation distance may be in the order of microns. It is noted that a conductive element may be considered to be electrically isolated even when it can be charged using a FGCD using a proper tunneling setup or using corona charging.
The first and the second conductive elements are configured and arranged relative to each other such to enable relative motion between the conductive elements, e.g., responsive to subjecting the MEMD to vibrational motion. The first and second conductive elements alternatingly move in an approaching and retracting movement relative to each other such to induce an electrical current in the associated circuit. Otherwise stated, the gap between the first and second conductive elements may oscillatingly decrease and increase. In another example, the first conductive elements and the second conductive elements may be arranged to enable them, in operation, to alternatingly move sideways relative to each other such that the overlapping area changes instead of the gap between the two conductive elements.
When the MEMD is subjected to forces which cause the conductive elements to alternatingly move relative to each other to induce electric current, the MEMD is considered to be “in operation” or “in an operative state”. Conversely, when the MEMD is not subjected to operative forces the MEMD is considered to be at “rest”.
Reference is made to
In MEMD 200(I), each conductive element 210 has to be charged individually. Moreover, reference is made to
As shown schematically in
In another instance exemplified by a MEMD 200(III), a single first conductive element 210 and a single second conductive element 220 may have straight surfaces facing each other. As shown in
Additionally referring to
To simplify the discussion that follows, MEMDs 200(I)-200(V) are herein collectively referred to as MEMD 200, unless the description refers to the operable differences resulting from the different coupling configurations of the conductive element.
First conductive elements 210 can be electrically charged, e.g., in a controlled manner using a FGCD. Second conductive elements 220 are suspended and connected to an electrical circuit (not shown). To simplify the discussion that follows, without being construed limiting, the following description refers to a configuration in which the first conductive elements that can be electrically charged using exemplarily a FGCD. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the charged conductive elements may be fixedly mounted, while charge is induced in the circuit through the other, inertia-mounted (second) conductive elements. The term “selectively chargeable” refers to controlled and selective electric charging of material using a FGCD).
First conductive and charged elements 210 may be fixedly arranged in an isolated manner on a carrier wafer layer 201 to operably cooperate with second conductive elements 220. The expressions “operably cooperate” or “operably mounted” as used herein with respect to “conductive elements”, as well as grammatical variations thereof, may refer to an arrangement in which the oscillating movement of one conductive element relative to a second conductive element, can induce electric current in an electrical circuit which is connected to the second conductive element, when the first conductive element is charged.
In an embodiment, first and second conductive element may be made of a Single Crystal Silicon (SCS) on insulator carry wafer. Insulator carry wafer may for example be made of oxide on silicon wafer, glass wafer and/or any other suitable material.
It should be noted that the number of first and second conductive elements 210 and 220 shown in the accompanying figures is for exemplary purposes only and should by no means to be construed as limiting.
In an embodiment, first and second conductive elements 210 and 220 may lie in the same plane. First conductive elements 210 may be rigidly mounted onto electrically isolating island layers 202 (e.g., oxide layers) in a cantilevered manner so that a portion of each one of first conductive elements 210 is extending from a proximal coupling area of the respective isolating island layers 202. The extension part may be suspended in air in order to reduce the overall supporting oxide. The same is true for conductive element 210, in general, as shown in
First conductive elements 210 may be electrically chargeable without requiring the employment of electrets. In other words, first conductive elements 210 and, hence, MEMD 200 may be electret-free. First conductive elements 210 may be selectively electrically chargeable by employing a FGCD or collectively by using corona charging and/or electron-beam charging techniques. Electrons that may be collected by second conductive members 220 may vanish once the MEMD is connected to an electrical circuit.
In some embodiments, MEMD 200 may be configured and operative so that first conductive elements 210 are rechargeable and/or drainable. According to some embodiments, first conductive elements 210 may be selectively charged after completion of MEMD packaging and, optionally, close to the use of MEMD 200 when employing a FGCD.
In an embodiment, an inertia element 222 that holds the second conductive elements 220 may be oscillatingly coupled with a support 231. Inertia element 222 and conductive elements 220 may together have a center of gravity G. For example, second conductive elements 220 may extend in a cantilevered manner from an inertia element 222 so that a portion of each one of second conductive elements 220 extends from a proximal coupling edge of inertia element 222.
In an embodiment, inertia element 222 may be carried by one or more leaf-type spring elements (also “spring elements”) 224. Spring elements 224 may have a flexible length L allowing inertia element 222 and second conductive elements 220 to oscillate in the Y direction in X-Y plane relative to first charged and conductive elements 210 when MEMD 200 is in operation. The space between carrying wafer layer 201 and inertia element 222 and spring elements 224 may be, for example, air, inert gas or vacuum, depending on the packaging of the MEMD. In some embodiments, second conductive elements 220 may be mounted and configured so that they may oscillate in other planes than in the Y-Z plane relative to first conductive element 210. For example, inertia element 222 may lie in any oscillator position in an X-Y plane that has the same Z-position, and may oscillate relative to first conductive and charged elements 210 rectilinearly in positive and negative directions Y1 and Y2 which may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axes X of spring elements 224. In operation, the spring elements may thus flex in an “S”-fashion.
Other spring configurations than the one described herein may be employed including, for example, a folded spring. Clearly, additional or alternative suspension configurations may be used. For example, in some embodiments, an inertia structure may be suspended from one side only in a cantilever manner.
In an embodiment, one or more spring elements 224 may extend from inertia element 222 to form a bridge 228 between supports 231A and 231B that are respectively arranged on opposing sides of inertia element 222 on island layers 202A and 202B so that the inertia element is suspended by and between supports 231A and 231B to allow the inertia element to oscillate relative to first conductive elements 210. For example, two spring elements 224A-224B may extend from inertia element 222 from one side thereof and terminate in a first island 202A. Two other spring elements 224C-224D may extend from inertial element 222 from the other, opposite side and terminate in a second island 202B. A pad 226 (
In some embodiments, MEMD 200 may comprise one or more sets of cooperating first and second conductive elements 210 and 220. For example, a first set of cooperating fixedly mounted conductive elements 210A and oscillating elements 220A may be arranged at a first side 240A of MEMD 200 and another set of cooperating fixedly mounted first conductive elements 210B and oscillating second conductive elements 220B may be arranged at another, second side 240B which is opposite the first side. First conductive elements 210A may be, for example, arranged on individually isolating island layers 202 that are arranged along a part of first side 240A on carrying wafer layer 201. Further, second oscillating conductive elements 220B may be, for example, arranged on individually isolating island layers 202 that are arranged along at least a part of first side 240B on carrying wafer layer 201. In some embodiments, even with two different individual supports, only one pad may be employed.
Additional reference is now made to
Referring to
A tunneling oxide layer 206 may overlay a part of proximal conductive portions 205A, extending entirely over the upper surface of isolating barrier 204 and further over a part of distal portion 205B such that some of the distal conductive portion 205B remains exposed. In an embodiment, the oxide beyond isolating barrier 204 (i.e. in a distal direction away from the FGCD structure) may be thicker than the tunnel oxide as no tunneling current flows beyond this point. Such a “thick” oxide may be required to improve isolation and reduce parasitic capacitance. Furthermore, a floating gate layer 207 may overlay tunnel oxide layer 206 and “spill over” the distal edge of tunnel oxide 206 to cover an additional area of the upper surface of distal conductive portion 205B, sufficiently to create a good electrical contact that will allow electrons to flow without much resistance.
On top of floating gate 207, a gate isolating layer 208 and a charging gate layer 209 are disposed. A reference pad 213 may be disposed over the proximal edge of the floating gate arrangement of tunnel layer 206 so that a voltage can be built up between distal gate layer 209 and reference pad 213, allowing the tunneling condition and electrons flow for charging the floating gate 207. It is noted that in this way the first conductive element(s) can be considered to be charged “directly”, since the floating gate of the FGCD is directly coupled to and integrally formed with the first conductive element.
Floating gate layer 207 can for example be made of conductive material such that electrons tunneling into the floating gate will flow along it to conductive portion 205B.
As shown schematically in
As shown schematically in
When a tunneling voltage is applied between gate 209 and the reference pad 213 and between the source and the drain (in case of a configuration that includes source and drain), electrons tunneled from proximal conductive portion 205A via tunneling oxide layer 206 charging floating gate layer 207 (schematically illustrated by arrow D1), and, further by diffusion, to distal conductive portion 205B of conductive element 210 (as schematically illustrated by arrow D2).
Reference is made to
Upon removal of the tunneling voltage, the tunneling condition stops and no electrons can flow through the tunnel oxide. The electrons are trapped in the floating gate and then distribute throughout this conductive and isolated volume of conductive element 210. It is reasonable to assume that to some extent the electrons will flow away from each other and thus be closer to the envelope of this volume of 205B (element 210). The electron concentration may be similar to that of floating gate memory and is calculated to be in the order of 108-1019 electrons per cm3.
Charge may be pumped (drained) out of the element by reversing the polarity of the charging gate voltage and by using a similar cycling method
Further reference is now made to
Further reference is now made to
Further reference is made to
At an initial stage t=t0, no external forces are applied on MEMD 200. Responsive to subjecting MEMD 200 to external vibrational forces of sufficient magnitude, first and second oscillatingly mounted (suspended) conductive elements 220A and 220B may jointly move or be displaced upward to the same extent relative to fixedly mounted conductive and charged elements 210A and 210B. The upward movement is in a first direction, schematically illustrated by arrows G1. This relative movement rejects electrons in conductive element 220B. As conductive elements 220B and 220A are connected to an electrical circuit, current may be induced in the circuit. Further, as indicated with respect to t=t2, the vibrational forces may cause inertia-mounted conductive elements 220A and 220B to jointly move downward relative to fixedly mounted conductive elements 210A and 210B in opposite direction to G1, which is schematically illustrated by arrows G2. During the downward displacement, at t=t2 the position of the conductive elements may momentarily be as at t=t0 and from there the two conductive elements move as indicated in arrow G2 such that conductive element 220A is in close proximity to conductive element 210A. When at sufficient proximity electrons are rejected from element 220A which in turn induces current in the electrical circuit. Conductive element 210A and 210B return to the initial position at t=t4 and complete a full vibration cycle.
The fixedly mounted conductive elements 210A and 210B are negatively charged. Moreover, initially, there may be no overlap between suspended (oscillatingly) mounted conductive elements 220B and fixedly mounted conductive elements 210A. Therefore, there is no significant charge induced on suspended conductive elements at the initial state T=TO.
It is noted that overlap between the conductive elements is not necessarily a requirement for current to be induced. In some embodiments, it may suffice that the conductive elements come in sufficient proximity to each another. However, the larger the overlap at sufficient proximity the more electrons are rejected.
It is noted that in some embodiments, as exemplified herein below, a MEMD may be configured so that during an entire oscillation period fixedly and suspended conductive elements may always overlap.
Additional reference is made to
For example, responsive to the transition from the initial stage (t=t0) to the first quarter of the periodic movement (t=t1) (cf.
As shown in
Reference is further made to
As shown schematically in
Reference is now made to
According to some embodiments, the selectively chargeable conductive elements may be made of P-type or N-type semiconductor material. As well known, the majority mobile charge carriers in N-type semiconductors are electrons and in P-type semiconductors are holes. To keep the semiconductor material electrically neutral, the electrons and holes are balanced by (respectively) positive and negative ions. In the event that P-type semiconductor material is employed, electrons that are tunneled to the conductive elements may recombine with the holes thus leaving the material charged with negatively charged ions. As a consequence, charge is less likely to move and eventually leak out of the isolated conductive element either through the tunnel oxide or through the outer surface of the charged conductive element.
Assuming for example that a conductive element 210 is 2 μm wide, 10 μm deep and 20 μm long. The volume of the conductive element is then 4−10 cm3. Assuming a required charge concentration of 1018 cm3, the number of electrons required is 48. This means a FGCD with a charging gate 209 area of 250 μm2, or for example a charging gate 209 with a size of 15×15 μm per conductive element 210. The charging may take place through one long charging cycle or it may take place through several charging cycles. The area of the charging 209 is inversely proportional to the charging time. That is, the larger the gate area the more electrons can tunnel through the oxide in a given time period and thus the shorter the charging time. For example, with two charging cycles, the area of charging gate 209 drops to about 125 μm2, i.e. to a charging gate of about 11×11 μm per conductive element 210. In the calculation above we assume that the volume of the floating gate 207 underneath the charging gate 209 is negligible compared to element 210.
A microelectromechanical system may comprise a plurality of MEMDs. Aspects of embodiments also relate to a method of a charging arrangement of a MEMD.
In some embodiments and as outlined herein below in more detail, a charging arrangement may in some embodiments, act as a chemical sensor. For example, a negatively charged first conductive element 210 may attract positively charged ions and/or molecules.
Reference is made to
In some embodiments, the surface of the first conductive element may be modified such that only specific molecules may adhere to it (e.g., chlorine molecule) in which case the sensing MEMD may be employed to sense the presence of a specific molecule in the environment. Reference is made to
Additional reference is made to
It is noted that all of the embodiment discussed above in reference to energy harvesting may be applied to acceleration sensor either by using the same rectifying circuit or by using a different electrical circuit, such as the circuit shown in
Reference is made to
As shown schematically in
As shown schematically in
As shown schematically in
As shown schematically in
The use of insulating barrier 2250, and the specific patterning the tunnel oxide and the floating gate are unique to the proposed process and are not common in state of the art FGCD technology. Source 215A and Drain 215B steps may follow by doping the areas on the two sides of the floating gate. An insulating layer 208 and a charging gate 209 are deposited and patterned to complete the FGCD step.
The method may include deposition and patterning of pads 217A and 217B as shown in
As shown schematically in
As shown schematically in
Reference is now made to
Other processes may be used including, for example, a process that includes an etch from the back side of substrate 201, in selective places, all the way to oxide 202, followed by an etch of this oxide to release suspended elements 220. It is also noted that instead of using SOI wafers, Silicon on Glass (SOG) wafers may be used.
It is further noted that the microfabrication processes described above are just examples of many possible process flows.
In the discussion, unless otherwise stated, adjectives such as “substantially” and “about” that modify a condition or relationship characteristic of a feature or features of an embodiment of the invention, are to be understood to mean that the condition or characteristic is defined to within tolerances that are acceptable for operation of the embodiment for an application for which it is intended.
Positional terms such as “upper”, “lower” “right”, “left”, “bottom”, “below”, “lowered”, “low”, “top”, “above”, “elevated”, “high”, “vertical” and “horizontal” as well as grammatical variations thereof as may be used herein do not necessarily indicate that, for example, a “bottom” component is below a “top” component, or that a component that is “below” is indeed “below” another component or that a component that is “above” is indeed “above” another component as such directions, components or both may be flipped, rotated, moved in space, placed in a diagonal orientation or position, placed horizontally or vertically, or similarly modified. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the terms “bottom”, “below”, “top” and “above” may be used herein for exemplary purposes only, to illustrate the relative positioning or placement of certain components, to indicate a first and a second component or to do both. Further, directional terms such as “upwards” and “downwards” as used herein may indicate relative movement.
“Coupled with” means “coupled with directly or indirectly”.
It is important to note that the method is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, the method may include additional or even fewer processes or operations in comparison to what is described herein. In addition, embodiments of the method are not necessarily limited to the chronological order as illustrated and described herein.
It should be understood that where the claims or specification refer to “a” or “an” element, such reference is not to be construed as there being only one of that element.
In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, “comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.
Unless otherwise stated, the use of the expression “and/or” between the last two elements of a list of options for selection indicates that a selection of one or more of the listed options is appropriate and may be made.
It is noted that the term “perspective view” as used herein may also refer to an “isometric view”.
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments or example, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements.
All references mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual patent was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present application.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/230,622 filed on Jun. 11, 2015, titled “Solid State Energy Harvesting Technology” and which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IB2016/052040 | 4/11/2016 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62230622 | Jun 2015 | US |