Thermionic Power Source Technology.

"It is proposed to survey existing thermionic converter technology and to determine how significant improvements can be achieved. All components for thermionic generators will be critically evaluated and improvements in design and materials will be sought.It will be evaluated if high performance cathode materials can be integrated into a substantially improved thermionic converter device. One of the new cathode materiasl is a composite that enables thermionic energy generation at very low temperature and isstable for extended periods of time. Also, recently discovered thermal transfer and interface materials with very high thermal conductive and good temperature stability will be evaluated. Components and materials will be tested. Thermionic converters withhigh efficiency can be used to harvest electricity from combustion processes and to enable distributed energy generation. Improved converters could find commercial applications in furnaces, and as highly reliable portable power sources."