The sun’s rays strike the earth’s crust during the day, but that energy loses its atmosphere when the sun sets.Now, researchers within the Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering School at UNSW Sydney have successfully tested a device capable of converting infrared heat into electrical energy.The team, which includes members of the ARC Center for Excellence in Exciton Science, has used a power-generating device called a ‘thermo-radiative diode’, similar to night vision technology.
Exciton Science Associate researcher Nicholas Ekins-Daukes, a research team leader, stated: “At the end of the 18th and early 19th centuries it was discovered that the efficiency of steam engines depends on the temperature of the entire engine, as well as in the field of thermodynamics. was born.”The same principles apply to solar energy – the sun provides a hot source and the coolest solar panel in the Earth’s crust provides a cooling effect. This allows electricity to be generated.
However, when we consider the infrared emissions from Earth to space, it is now a relatively warm Earth, with a much cooler range.”With the same principles of thermodynamics, it is possible to generate electricity from this temperature difference again: the emission of infrared light into the atmosphere.”Norwegian researcher Rune Strandberg first explored the possibility of such a device, and researchers at Stanford University are investigating other ways to capture heat at night.
The amount of energy generated by this new experiment is small (approximately 0.001% of the solar cell), but conceptual evidence is important.”We often think of light emissions as a source of energy, but in the middle of infrared, when we all shine with radiant energy, we have shown that it is possible to emit electricity,” Nicholas said.”We do not yet have a miracle that will make the thermoradiative diode a daily reality, but we have made a proof of the system and are eager to see how much we can improve in this result in the years to come.”The team is now excited to move on to the next phase of research in creating and refining its tools to harness night energy, and to embrace potential industry partners.
Source Journal Reference: Michael P. Nielsen, Andreas Pusch, Muhammad H. Sazzad, Phoebe M. Pearce, Peter J. Reece, Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes,Thermoradiative Power Conversion from HgCdtTe Photodiodes and Their Current–Voltage Characteristics. ACS Photonics, 2022; DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.2c00223
READ ALSO : Case of Sheena Bora murder: Indrani Mukerjea gets bail on 10th application – Time line
