Yes - this is very good news for many potential energy applications -
the problem being: is platinum absolutely necessary?
There are a number of exotic cold cathode materials already in mass
production - going back to one of the great unsung heroes of invention:
Philo Farnsworth.
Here is another possibility - ion implantation - but this one uses
platinum as well
http://tinyurl.com/2kxutv
or
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TJN-47XFMNT-F&_coverDate=05%2F31%2F2003&_alid=527250962&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_qd=1&_cdi=5315&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=7c23dfaded8e9d264c4c21b59d3d0392
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Semiconductor coating lowers the work function of metal plates:
http://focus.aps.org/story/v6/st3
If this effect can be combined with field emission from points that are
covered with the semiconductor as they are exposed flush with a flat
composite matrix of embedded consistent diameter orthogonal needles in a
rigid insulator then an evenly bright electron emitter may be produced.
Aloha,
Charlie
