A Solid-State Maxwell Demon

[vasik041]

 Based on number answers to the poll this topic not too popular
My observations suggest that most people don't bother reading texts longer that half a page nowadays.
I think that one wrong assumption in Germano's paper is comparing p-n junction with two different metals "junction". I put quotes because it is completely different system.
"A p–n junction is a boundary or interface between two types of semiconductor materials, p-type and n-type, inside a single crystal of semiconductor."
(from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%E2%80%93n_junction)

[Nonlinear]

I voted for the 3rd option 'totally confused'. 

Why are you expecting an explanation from memoryman? Based on his previous posts on this forum, he is just bossing around bullying people as if he were a great authority. He hasn't got a clue about this subject, otherwise he would have already started to explain the mistakes in Germano's paper, instead of typos. 

[ZL]

Based on number answers to the poll this topic not too popular

Good observation. The poll serves multiple purposes. Besides giving an insight into the opinions of people about the science part, it also serves as a kind of traffic- and genuine interest 'barometer'. Tell me one reason why this topic supposed to be popular on this forum (assuming we live in a decent world), and I will tell you ten reasons why it can't be popular (in our real world of the evil and mean).

My observations suggest that most people don't bother reading texts longer that half a page nowadays.

Yes, they are the newly evolved super human species called homo facebookus, with an attention span of about 5 minutes.
https://www.trackvia.com/blog/productivity/truth-shrinking-attention-span/

There is always an excuse for this, like "I am extremely busy", which might even be true. But then what is the benefit from scattering one's attention into 101 unrelated interests that don't last longer than 10 minutes each at a time? Well, it is the addiction of the 'monkey mind' that is constantly looking for novelty, excitement, and entertainment (gimme a jolt of dopamine).

Dopamine jolt behind internet addiction
https://www.ft.com/content/27514afc-5444-11e2-9d25-00144feab49a

It is seeking happiness in the observed world where it actually doesn't exists, but that is another story... If one wants to achieve any success in anything, then it is better to choose only one or two subjects of interest, and spend on them as much time as it requires to master them. Readers who are loath to read even a single article to the end are of no use to the cause anyway.

I think that one wrong assumption in Germano's paper is comparing p-n junction with two different metals "junction". I put quotes because it is completely different system.
"A p–n junction is a boundary or interface between two types of semiconductor materials, p-type and n-type, inside a single crystal of semiconductor."

I wouldn't blame Germano for this comparison, because in principle he is right about the fact that the internal electric field at the junction boundary in the depletion zone uses the same build-up mechanism in both dissimilar metal-metal junctions, and n-p semiconductor junctions.

A single crystal semiconductor is generally used in diodes in order to avoid contamination of the joining surfaces, internal imperfections, reduce dissipative losses, make production simple and economical, and improve characteristics. But theoretically, if you would have two such single crystals one doped p and the other n type with perfectly smooth surfaces, you could reproduce the same n-p depletion region, and junction potential difference by pressing them together to make a diode, as if they were a single crystal. Actually this is not only possible in theory, but it has been already accomplished in practice as well. Here is a relevant patent that explains how to do it:

Method of tightly joining two semiconductor substrates
http://www.freepatentsonline.net/4962062.pdf

Another old patent that supports this analogy used by Germano is about a metal-metal diode array that uses dissimilar metals to form diodes and rectify thermal noise. This patent of Brown M. Charles III also claims to violate the 2nd law of thermodynamics by converting thermal electrical noise into electrical power. Unfortunately, the estimated power density doesn't look too promising to give it great practical significance.

Diode Array
http://www.freepatentsonline.net/3890161.pdf

Also, you can create contact potential difference by twisting together two wires made of dissimilar metals, like a thermocouple. The potential difference will be present, but the contact resistance might be too large for certain purposes. Therefore even in case of metal-metal junctions it is preferable to either electroplate one metal on the other, or join them together by some other thermal method (like spot welding).

But here is a crucial question: if the contact potential difference is present in both n-p diodes, and thermocouples as well, then why can't we measure them with a digital multimeter of decent quality?

Do you know the answer to this? If you give the right answer, then we might be able to find a way around this obstacle, and measure it in another way. Finally this is the main trump card of Germano, namely the claim that there isn't any electric field in the vacuum between the facing semiconductor faces of Sheehan's diode. If you prove this to be false by an acceptably accurate macroscopic measurement, then the ultimate and only one real authority, mother Nature will give her final verdict about who is right and who is wrong. (a hint: the explanation can be found online, google is your friend).

[ZL]

I voted for the 3rd option 'totally confused'. 
Why are you expecting an explanation from memoryman?

OK, I see that you are loosing patience and want to read the explanations now. We are not waiting for memoryman any longer, his pride prevented him from even saying that he can't explain Germano's mistakes, and we should not wait for that... Therefore we are going to proceed with the explanations, as you can see from my last response to Vasik. A bit more patience, and hopefully your confusion will disappear soon.

[memoryman]

" his pride prevented him from even saying that he can't explain Germano's mistakes" maybe there are no mistakes.
You guys are funny. I will look at the documents when I decide; not when you want it.
It has a very low priority to me.