Power production by a dynamic micro heat engine with an integrated thermal switch

Mechanical power production by a dynamic micro heat engine with integrated thermal switch is demonstrated. A microengine operated from a constant heat source of 60 degrees C is shown to produce 350 mu W of mechanical power. Employing an active thermal switch to control heat rejection from the microengine enables power to be increased to 2500 mu W. Power consumption by the thermal switch is shown to be minimized by operating the cantilever switch at its resonant frequency. Thermal switch power requirements can be reduced to less than 20 mu W for operational speeds up to 100 Hz.