Integrated Power Adapter

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Program:
IDEAS
Award:
$500,000
Location:
New York, New York
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
06/10/2016 - 09/09/2017

Technology Description:

The Columbia University team is developing a proof-of-concept solid-state solution to generate electricity from high-temperature waste heat (~900 K) using thermal radiation between a hot object placed in extreme proximity (<100 nm) to a cooler photovoltaic (PV) cell. In this geometry, thermal radiation can be engineered such that its spectrum is quasi-monochromatic and aligned with the PV cell’s bandgap frequency. In this case, it is estimated that electricity can be generated with a conversion efficiency beyond 25% and with a power density that could greatly outperform currently available thermal photovoltaic devices and other thermoelectric generator designs. To overcome the significant challenge of maintaining the proper distance between a hot side emitter and a cooler PV junction to prevent device shorting, the team will develop microelectromechanical actuation systems to optimally orient the PV cell. By providing a universal solid-state solution that can, in principle, be mounted and scaled to any hot surface, this technology could help retrieve a significant fraction of heat wasted by U.S. industries

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Eric Schiff
Project Contact:
Dr. Michal Lipson
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
ml3745@columbia.edu

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