A High Efficiency Micro-Thermophotovoltaic Generator System

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Inventive systems and methods for the generation of energy using thermophotovoltaic cells are described. Also described are systems and methods for selectively emitting electromagnetic radiation from an emitter for use in thermophotovoltaic energy generation systems. In at least some of the inventive energy generation systems and methods, a voltage applied to the thermophotovoltaic cell (e.g., to enhance the power produced by the cell) can be adjusted to enhance system performance. Certain embodiments of the systems and methods described herein can be used to generate energy relatively efficiently.

Researchers

John D Joannopoulos / Mohammad Araghchini / Christopher Marton / Adrian Yeng / Walker Chan / Michael Ghebrebrhan / Peter H Fisher / Robert Pilawa-Podgurski / Ivan Celanovic / Peter Bermel / Marin Soljacic / Steven G Johnson / Klavs F. Jensen

Departments: Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, Office of the Vice President for Research, Department of Physics, Department of Mathematics, Department of Chemical Engineering
Technology Areas: Electronics & Photonics: Photonics, Semiconductors / Energy & Distribution: Electrochemical Devices, Photovoltaics

  • thermophotovoltaic energy generation
    United States of America | Granted | 9,116,537

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