Experimental device generates electricity from the cold of the universe

For the first time, an international team of scientists has been able to demonstrate the possibility of obtaining a measurable amount of electricity using an optical diode directly from the cold of outer space. The sky-facing infrared semiconductor device uses the temperature difference between Earth and space to generate energy.

“The vast universe itself is a thermodynamic resource,” explains Shanhui Fan, one of the authors of the study. "From the point of view of optoelectronic physics, there is a very beautiful symmetry between the collection of incoming and outgoing radiation."

Unlike using energy coming to Earth, as traditional solar panels do, a negative optical diode allows electricity to be generated when heat leaves the surface and rushes back into space. By pointing their device into outer space, whose temperature is approaching absolute zero, the team of scientists was able to obtain a temperature difference large enough to generate energy.

“The amount of energy that we were able to get with this experiment is currently well below the theoretical limit,” adds Masashi Ono, another author of the study.

The scientists calculated that in its current form, their device could generate about 64 nanowatts per square meter. This is an extremely small amount of energy, but in this case, the proof of concept itself is important. The authors of the study will be able to optimize the device in the future by improving the quantum optoelectronic properties of the materials they use in the diode.

Calculations have shown that, taking into account atmospheric effects, theoretically, after some improvements, the device created by scientists will be able to generate almost 4 watts per square meter, about a million times more than they managed to get during the experiment, and quite enough to power small devices, who need to work at night. In comparison, modern solar panels generate between 100 and 200 watts per square meter.

While the results show promise for sky-pointing devices, Shanhu Fang points out that the same principle could be applied to recycle the heat radiated from machines. For now, he and his team are focused on improving the performance of their instrument.

Research опубликовано in a scientific publication of the American Institute of Physics (AIP).

Source: 3dnews.ru