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Near-field thermophotovoltaics for efficient heat to electricity conversion at high power density

Author

Listed:
  • Rohith Mittapally

    (University of Michigan)

  • Byungjun Lee

    (University of Michigan)

  • Linxiao Zhu

    (The Pennsylvania State University)

  • Amin Reihani

    (University of Michigan)

  • Ju Won Lim

    (University of Michigan)

  • Dejiu Fan

    (University of Michigan)

  • Stephen R. Forrest

    (University of Michigan
    University of Michigan
    University of Michigan)

  • Pramod Reddy

    (University of Michigan
    University of Michigan
    University of Michigan)

  • Edgar Meyhofer

    (University of Michigan
    University of Michigan)

Abstract

Thermophotovoltaic approaches that take advantage of near-field evanescent modes are being actively explored due to their potential for high-power density and high-efficiency energy conversion. However, progress towards functional near-field thermophotovoltaic devices has been limited by challenges in creating thermally robust planar emitters and photovoltaic cells designed for near-field thermal radiation. Here, we demonstrate record power densities of ~5 kW/m2 at an efficiency of 6.8%, where the efficiency of the system is defined as the ratio of the electrical power output of the PV cell to the radiative heat transfer from the emitter to the PV cell. This was accomplished by developing novel emitter devices that can sustain temperatures as high as 1270 K and positioning them into the near-field (

Suggested Citation

  • Rohith Mittapally & Byungjun Lee & Linxiao Zhu & Amin Reihani & Ju Won Lim & Dejiu Fan & Stephen R. Forrest & Pramod Reddy & Edgar Meyhofer, 2021. "Near-field thermophotovoltaics for efficient heat to electricity conversion at high power density," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-24587-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24587-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Habibi, Mohammad & Cui, Longji, 2023. "Modelling and performance analysis of a novel thermophotovoltaic system with enhanced radiative heat transfer for combined heat and power generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 343(C).

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