Johnson Ambient-Heat Engine (Energy Harvesting USA 2016)

An ambient heat engine is disclosed that generates electricity by maintaining a state of equilibrium with temperature changes in its environment. It overcomes the limitations of past thermoelectric conversion systems by eliminating the need to maintain or create a simultaneous temperature differential.

Dr. Lonnie Johnson, a bonafide "rocket scientist," has just one mission--to ensure the world has enough energy for a prosperous future. Although he has devoted his life to solving some of the world's most complex technological problems, he is best known for the Super Soaker water gun. Dr. Johnson holds more than 100 patents, the vast majority of which are energy related. A leading developer of the next two generations of battery technology, Ceramic Solid State Batteries and Lithium-Air batteries, he was awarded the "Breakthrough Award" from Popular Mechanics magazine for an invention that converts heat directly into electricity.

Johnson R&D is a technology incubator. Since 1989 it has been developing technologies that address needs that cannot be served by conventional technologies. Once proven viable these technologies are spun out into new Johnson companies to be commercialized. Some are licensed to other companies to enhance their portfolio. The company has developed technologies for solid-state, ceramic batteries having the potential for 2-3 times the performance of conventional lithium-ion batteries. It has also developed high conversion efficiency, solid-state, energy harvesting technologies. Others include wearables; printables; IoT; high temperature batteries; high efficiency, solid-state, thermal conversion heat engines, and also EV technologies.