Heated by the sun, our planet is warm compared to the removed cold vacuum. Due to recent technological advances, say researchers, heat imbalance could soon be transformed into direct current (DC ), taking advantage thus a vast and untapped energy source, writes phys.org
"I do not know, first how can we generate dc infrared emission in free space," says principal investigator Federico Capasso, professor of Applied Physics at SEAS. " Generate electricity from emission and not by absorption of light, a strange idea. Makes sense physically, if you think about it, but it's very counterintuitive. We plan to use physics and nanotechnology to create a new application. "
No matter how strange it may seem ideas of Federico Capasso, people tend to take them seriously. They have good reason. Capasso, an Italian expert in quantum optics and photonics, is co-inventor of the quantum cascade laser in 1994.
Currently, Capasso and his research team suggest something like a photovoltaic solar panel, but instead of capturing light, the device would generate electricity by releasing infrared light.
" Sunlight is energy so photovoltaics explains, just collect energy. But it's not that simple, and capture energy from the infrared emission is even less intuitive, "says lead study author Steven J. Byrnes, a professor at SEAS. "I do not know how much power could be generated this way, or whether to go on, until you start doing the math. "
The teacher also points out that the device could be coupled with a solar cell, for example, to get extra power at night, without additional installation costs.
To illustrate the range of possibilities, two different types implies the group of energy – emitting operation: one that is similar to the solar heat generator, and one similar to a photovoltaic cell.
The first type of device would consist of a plate "hot" at the Earth, with a plate "cold" on top of it. Cold plate upwardly, as done in an extremely highly efficient radiator which cools the heat radiation from the air. Keeping the plate "cold" cooler than ambient temperature would be a challenge, but this device illustrates a general principle: temperature differences generate activity.
" This approach is quite intuitiv , because we can combine the familiar principles of heat engines and the cooling by radiation," says Byrnes.
The second proposed device is based on the temperature difference between the nanoscale electronic components, diodes and antennas – a temperature that can not be felt by hand.
"If you have two components at the same temperature, obviously, can not extract any activity, but if you have two different temperatures you can ," said Capasso. "But it's complicated, the behavior of electrons, the explanation is much less intuitive. "
Researchers are aware that it is in the face of many challenges, but are motivated to continue, " Now that we understand the constraints and specifications," Byrnes added, " we are in a good position to work on a solution. "
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