Solar Thermophotovoltaic Converters Based on Tungsten Emitters

Andreev, V. M.; Vlasov, A. S.; Khvostikov, V. P.; Khvostikova, O. A.; Gazaryan, P. Y.; Sorokina, S. V.; Sadchikov, N. A.

doi:10.1115/1.2734576

Cited by 45 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…They are also robust with respect to experimental levels of disorder and impurities. Our PhCs provide the platform necessary to realise high-temperature nanophotonics for energy applications, ranging from efficient solar absorbers for solar thermal applications (16)(17)(18)(19), which is characterized by good solar absorption (low reflectance for wavelengths smaller than cutoff wavelength usually in the vicinity of 1.5-2.5 μm depending on operation temperature and solar concentration) and low thermal emittance (high reflectance for wavelengths larger than the cutoff wavelength and angularly selective absorption), to highly efficient selective emitters that are important for realizing both high efficiency and high power density TPV energy conversion systems (14,15). In addition, they can be applied as a high-efficiency near-to mid-infrared radiation source for infrared spectroscopy, night vision, as well as miniaturized on-chip for sensing applications including highly selective gas and chemical sensing (20,21).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, metallic PhCs have been shown to possess a large bandgap (9)(10)(11)(12) and consequently superior modification of the intrinsic thermal emission spectra is readily achievable. This is extremely promising for many unique applications, especially high-efficiency energy conversion systems encompassing hydrocarbon and radioisotope fueled thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion (13,14) as well as solar selective absorbers and emitters for the emerging field of solar thermal, including solar TPV (15)(16)(17)(18) and solar thermochemical production of fuels (19). The selective emitters can also be used as highly efficient infrared radiation sources for infrared spectroscopy and sensing applications including highly selective gas and chemical sensing (20,21).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Enabling high-temperature nanophotonics for energy applications

Yeng

Ghebrebrhan²,

Bermel³

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

216

181

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The nascent field of high-temperature nanophotonics could potentially enable many important solid-state energy conversion applications, such as thermophotovoltaic energy generation, selective solar absorption, and selective emission of light. However, special challenges arise when trying to design nanophotonic materials with precisely tailored optical properties that can operate at hightemperatures (>1,100 K). These include proper material selection and purity to prevent melting, evaporation, or chemical reactions; severe minimization of any material interfaces to prevent thermomechanical problems such as delamination; robust performance in the presence of surface diffusion; and long-range geometric precision over large areas with severe minimization of very small feature sizes to maintain structural stability. Here we report an approach for high-temperature nanophotonics that surmounts all of these difficulties. It consists of an analytical and computationally guided design involving high-purity tungsten in a precisely fabricated photonic crystal slab geometry (specifically chosen to eliminate interfaces arising from layer-by-layer fabrication) optimized for high performance and robustness in the presence of roughness, fabrication errors, and surface diffusion. It offers nearultimate short-wavelength emittance and low, ultra-broadband long-wavelength emittance, along with a sharp cutoff offering 4∶1 emittance contrast over 10% wavelength separation. This is achieved via Q-matching, whereby the absorptive and radiative rates of the photonic crystal's cavity resonances are matched. Strong angular emission selectivity is also observed, with shortwavelength emission suppressed by 50% at 75°compared to normal incidence. Finally, a precise high-temperature measurement technique is developed to confirm that emission at 1,225 K can be primarily confined to wavelengths shorter than the cutoff wavelength. E ver since photonic bandgaps were predicted to exist in appropriately designed periodic subwavelength structures (1-3)-i.e., photonic crystals (PhCs), significant interest has garnered in recent years to exploit this property. Coupled with the recent advancements in nanofabrication techniques, many applications have been made possible, ranging from room-and cryogenic-temperature optoelectronic devices for development of all-optical integrated circuits (4), to highly sensitive sensors (5), low-threshold lasers (6), and highly efficient light emitting diodes (7). PhCs also enable us to accurately control spontaneous emission by virtue of controlling the photonic bandgap (1, 8). In particular, metallic PhCs have been shown to possess a large bandgap (9-12) and consequently superior modification of the intrinsic thermal emission spectra is readily achievable. This is extremely promising for many unique applications, especially high-efficiency energy conversion systems encompassing hydrocarbon and radioisotope fueled thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion (13,14) as well as solar selective absorbers and emitters for the...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Enabling high-temperature nanophotonics for energy applications

Yeng

Ghebrebrhan²,

Bermel³

et al. 2012

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

216

181

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…By adjusting the spectral selectivity of the absorbing and emitting surfaces, either up-or downconversion process can theoretically be achieved. Solar TPV energy conversion platforms effectively make use of the photon down-conversion process shown in Figure 8a to convert the broadband solar spectrum to a narrowband thermal emission spectrum, which peaks at lower photon energy tuned to fit the electron bandgap of a PV cell [138,146,[203][204][205][206][207]. Thermal up-conversion of photon energy (Figure 8b) is more challenging, yet could be highly promising for applications in waste heat harvesting and in development of tunable photon sources.…”

Section: Thermal Up-and Down-conversion Of Photon Energymentioning

confidence: 99%

Heat meets light on the nanoscale

et al. 2016

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Abstract:We discuss the state-of-the-art and remaining challenges in the fundamental understanding and technology development for controlling light-matter interactions in nanophotonic environments in and away from thermal equilibrium. The topics covered range from the basics of the thermodynamics of light emission and absorption to applications in solar thermal energy generation, thermophotovoltaics, optical refrigeration, personalized cooling technologies, development of coherent incandescent light sources, and spinoptics.Keywords: thermal emission; absorption; spectral selectivity; angular selectivity; optical refrigeration; solar thermal energy conversion; thermophotovoltaics; nearfield heat transfer; photon density of states; thermal upconversion; radiative cooling Thermodynamics of light and heatControl and optimization of energy conversion processes involving photon absorption and radiation require detailed understanding of thermodynamic properties of radiation as well as its interaction with matter [1-5]. Historically, thermodynamic treatment of electromagnetic radiation began over a century ago with Planck applying the thermodynamic principles established for a gas of material particles to an analogous "photon gas" [1]. In particular, he showed that thermodynamic parameters, such as the energy, volume, temperature, and pressure can be applied to electromagnetic radiation, reflecting the dual wave-particle nature of photons. In this section, we will review the general thermodynamic principles governing photon propagation and interaction with matter, as well

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“…The potential advantages of such a system are the use of clean and sustainable energy source. At the present time, several institutes in the world have shown great interests in development of the STPV system, such as EDTEK [1] in USA, Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute in Russia [2] and NASA institute [3] . Some types of the prototypes have been fabricated and tested and they have great potentials for both civil and military applications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation on performance of a solar thermophotovoltaic system

Chen

Xuan

Han

2008

Sci. China Ser. E-Technol. Sci.

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In the light of the thermo-electric conversion principle, a model for predicting the performance of a solar thermophotovoltaic system is presented. The temperature distributions of the emitter for different concentrator ratios are numerically computed and the influence of the concentrator ratio on the system performance is analyzed. Numerical results show that the emitter temperature and the system efficiency increase with increase of the concentrator ratio. The effects of some other factors such as the spectral filter, cell temperature, and the reflectivity of the top and bottom surfaces of the emitter on the conversion performance of the STPV system are discussed.STPV, emitter, temperature, system efficiency

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Solar Thermophotovoltaic Converters Based on Tungsten Emitters

Cited by 45 publications

References 16 publications

Enabling high-temperature nanophotonics for energy applications

Enabling high-temperature nanophotonics for energy applications

Heat meets light on the nanoscale

Investigation on performance of a solar thermophotovoltaic system

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