The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 11, 1997
Filed:
Jul. 21, 1995
Joseph B Milstein, Brighton, MA (US);
Ronald G Roy, Tewksbury, MA (US);
Other;
Abstract
The invention concerns the use of materials which exhibit photonic band gaps in the near infrared and visible regions of the optical spectrum as thermophotovoltaic emitter materials. The materials used according to the invention are particularly suitable for use in the conversion of thermal or heat energy into optical or light energy. U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,114, PHOTONIC BAND GAP MATERIALS AND METHOD OF PREPARATION THEREOF, was issued on Jan. 31, 1995 to the present inventors for a class of material which can be employed according to the present invention. According to the invention it is possible to employ these materials in the conversion of thermal energy to optical energy, in particular as a thermophotovoltaic emitter material, when the thermal energy is supplied by sources such as flames, sunlight or other broadband electromagnetic sources, or hot gases or fluids. By its nature, as disclosed in the earlier filings, the material emits optical or light energy in one or more narrow bands, which may be received by a sensor such as a photovoltaic cell that converts optical or light energy into electricity. In particular, certain significant benefits are obtained by use of the instant technology.