A thermoelectric transducer comprising an emitter (1) for emitting electrons according to the action of heat or an electric field, a collector (2) disposed so as to face the emitter (1) and collect electrons emitted from the emitter (1), and an electron transport layer (3) held between the emitter (1) and the collector (2) to serve as a region for transferring the electrons emitted from the emitter (1), the electron transport layer (3) being a porous body having a mixed structure of a vapor phase and a solid phase, the entire solid phase which composes the porous body being composed of an insulating material, and the electrons emitted from the emitter traveling in the vapor phase by applying an electric potential to the collector (2) that is higher than that applied to the emitter (1).
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This Application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2004/013858, whose international filing date is Sep. 15, 2004, which in turn claims the benefit of Japanese Application No. 2003-348181, filed Oct. 7, 2003, the disclosures of which Applications are incorporated by reference herein. The benefit of the filing and priority dates of the International and Japanese Applications is respectfully requested.
