Topic: Power from heat? No moving parts?

[Nemesis]

Link to full article

"It derives heat from the environment" and converts it to electricity, Surany said. "I'm talking about embedding cells into doors or the panels on a car. In a laptop, I am talking about embedding cells into the case."

Now the nuclear fusion part: Syrdec says it understands a way to artificially alter the natural energy state of a particular undisclosed material. Instead of being in a "normal" energy state at room temperature, the altered material is in a normal energy state at, hypothetically, minus 40 degrees Celsius or colder. Thus, when this material is put into a room-temperature environment, it's excited. Put that next to a material with a much higher natural energy state and you get the Seebeck effect.

Outlandish as it sounds, the CEA, the atomic energy agency of France, has already concocted a microgenerator that can produce electricity at ambient temperatures via the Seebeck effect. The thermoelectric generator in CEA's prototypes has an output of 4 milliwatts per centimeter square for every (Celsius) degree difference between the two materials. The India Institute of Science also has examined ways of generating power via the Seebeck effect with changes in pressure.

Syrdec's fuel cell doesn't exist yet, but theoretically it's possible, Surany said. (The material altered by nuclear fusion, by the way, isn't radioactive.)

[Beeblebrox]

Well, it sounds very intriguing, but the words "zero point energy" kept flashing in my head when I read the article.  Additionally I'm completely unable to locate any company on the web called Syrdec.  The only listings involving them I've been able to turn up are the article you posted and a few resources from Syrdec stored on ZDNet.  Other than that there is no trace of them to be found. 

[Just plain old Punisher]

Junk science strikes again...

[Bonk]

Power from heat? No moving parts?

Been around for ages, it's known as a thermopile. I figure they're perfect for powering personal electronics. Here's my free idea - in my benevolence I shall share my genius with you all, as there is no way I could ever complete every brilliant idea I have: An ear bud mp3 player, powered by body heat, all parts within the ear buds - headphones, player and power all in one unit. (edit: call it the "eBod")

I'll admit I did not RTFA, as it has been soiled with punisher's eyes.