Energy is a critical issue in today's world. We constantly seek ways to use it more efficiently and sustainably.
New technologies, like the one developed by scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder, could play a big role in transforming how we produce and use energy.
This technology focuses on converting heat into electricity, and it could change the energy landscape.
A team of engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder has created a new thermophotovoltaic (TPV) device that can turn heat into electricity much more efficiently than previous devices, writes WP.
This breakthrough device challenges what we thought was possible with basic physics, particularly the limits set by Planck's law of thermal radiation.
Traditional TPV systems are limited by Planck's law, which determines how much thermal energy can be converted.
The new device breaks through these limits. It produces more energy than older designs, doubling the power density.
The key innovation is the use of a special glass spacer. This spacer is transparent to infrared radiation and also acts as an insulator.
This design change allows the device to transfer thermal energy more effectively, improving its performance.
The spacer eliminates the need for a vacuum or gas-filled space between the heat source and the photovoltaic cell, making the system simpler and more efficient.
This device works at a temperature of 1,000°C, which is common in many industrial processes.
Despite working at a lower temperature, it produces power similar to devices that operate at 1,400°C.
This makes it suitable for industries like glass, steel, and cement production, where it could offer a cleaner and cheaper energy solution.
The use of cheap and easily available materials like glass makes the device even more promising.
Researchers believe that using other materials could boost the power density by up to 20 times, making it even more efficient.
In addition to its industrial benefits, this technology could also help reduce waste heat and lower energy consumption.
This would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to more sustainable energy practices.
