The sun’s enormous energy may soon be harnessed in the dark of night following a significant advance in thermal capture technology.
Solar radiation heats the earth’s crust significantly during daylight hours, but that energy is lost into the coldness of space when the sun goes down.
Now, researchers within the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at UNSW Sydney have successfully tested a device capable of converting infrared heat into electrical power.
The team, including members of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, used a power-generation device called a ‘thermo-radiative diode’, which is similar to the technology in night-vision goggles.
Exciton Science Associate Investigator Nicholas Ekins-Daukes, the leader of the research team, said: “In the late 18th and early 19th century it was discovered that the efficiency of steam engines depended on the temperature difference across the engine, and the field of thermodynamics was born.
“The same principles apply to solar power – the sun provides the hot source and a relatively cool solar panel on the Earth’s surface provides a cold absorber. This allows electricity to be produced.
“However, when we think about the infrared emission from the Earth into outer space, it is now the Earth that is the comparatively warm body, with the vast void of space being extremely cold.
“By the same principles of thermodynamics, it is possible to generate electricity from this temperature difference too: the emission of infrared light into space.”
Norwegian researcher Rune Strandberg first explored the theoretical possibility of such a device, and researchers at Stanford University are investigating alternative approaches to capturing thermal energy at night.
The amount of energy produced through this new test is small (roughly equivalent to 0.001% of a solar cell), but the proof of concept is significant.
“We usually think of the emission of light as something that consumes power, but in the mid-infrared, where we are all glowing with radiant energy, we have shown that it is possible to extract electrical power,” Nicholas said.
“We do not yet have the miracle material that will make the thermoradiative diode an everyday reality, but we made a proof of principle and are eager to see how much we can improve on this result in the coming years.”
The team are now excited to move to the next research phase in creating and refining their own devices to harness the power of the night, and welcome potential industry partners.
Original Article: Major infrared breakthrough could lead to solar power at night
More from: University of New South Wales
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Thermo-radiative diode
- Use A Cheap PIN Diode As A Geiger Counter
After the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster, radiation measurement became newly ... Opengeiger uses the BPW34 diode because it is relatively common and has a large surface area, but also ...
- What Goes Into A High Voltage Diode?
One is laid bare by [WizardTim], as he cross-sections a 20KV high-voltage diode. A conventional low-voltage silicon diode has a forward voltage drop of about 0.7V and a relatively low maximum ...
- Expert Ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO) has observed the following analyst ratings within the last quarter: In the last 3 months, 11 analysts have offered 12-month price targets for Thermo Fisher ...
- Vishay (VSH) Expands Its Diode Offerings With New Rectifiers
Notably, both devices come in an SMA (DO-214AC) package and can be used as clamp, snubber and freewheeling diodes in flyback auxiliary power supplies. These devices, which offer improved reverse ...
- What to know about cellphone radiation
Here's what you need to know: Do cellphones give off radiation? Yes. Both cellphones and wireless transmitters (which are mounted on towers, street poles and rooftops) send and receive radio ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Thermo-radiative diode
[google_news title=”” keyword=”thermo-radiative diode” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Thermal capture technology
- Green Technology: 10 Things (2023) You Ought To Know
Climate change is affecting our world every single day, which is why we need new, green technology to help. Here are some of the impacts we’re seeing: Increasing frequency and intensity of droughts, ...
- Purifying the ‘miracle metal’: How to decarbonize aluminum
Without advances in recycling and decarbonization, the aluminum sector’s emissions could careen towards nearly 2 billion metric tons by 2050.
- Coal industry urged to find innovative ways to contribute to just transition
Mineral Resources and Energy Deputy Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has called on the coal industry to find innovative ways for coal to contribute to the transition from a high to a low carbon economy.
- Twenty20 Solutions Announces Advanced Security Solutions for Electrical Substations
A Security Solution that Combines Video Surveillance, Access Control, Video Monitoring, and Active Shooter Location Identification is Essential to Ensuring the Safety and Reliability of the Critical ...
- Energy Transition Trends To Watch In 2023
As 2023 begins and net zero deadlines draw closer, we look at the most important decarbonization trends of the year ahead.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Thermal capture technology
[google_news title=”” keyword=”thermal capture technology” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]