Thermionic Cooling and Energy Coversion with Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes Thin Flim

Strong thermionic emission is a key to thermionic cooling and thermionic energy conversion. Thermionic cooling and energy conversion using functionalized carbon nanotubes with a thin layer of low-work function barium strontium oxide thin film is presented. Surface temperature reduction as much as 81 ^oC has been obtained, and the and the thermionic cooling efficiency, defined as thermionic cooling power as a percentage of total input heating power to the surface, is reported as well.  The large thermionic cooling effect observed is a result of strong thermionic emission that ejects a large amount of hot electrons from the surface.  Details of the fabrication of the surface coating, as well the measurement of the thermionic cooling effect, and thermionic cooling efficiency are also provided.