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DOE OSTI · 1605732

Electrical power generation from moderate-temperature radiative thermal sources

Davids, Paul S.·Kirsch, Jared·Starbuck, Andrew·Jarecki, Robert·Shank, Joshua·Peters, David
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Abstract

Moderate-temperature thermal sources (100° to 400°C) which radiate waste heat are often the by-product of mechanical work, chemical or nuclear reactions, or information processing. We demonstrate conversion of thermal radiation into electrical power using a bipolar grating-coupled complementary metal-oxide-silicon (CMOS) tunnel diode. A two-step photon-assisted tunneling charge pumping mechanism results in separation of charge carriers in pn-junction wells leading to a large open-circuit voltage developed across a load. Electrical power generation from a broadband blackbody thermal source has been experimentally demonstrated with converted power densities of 27 to 61 microwatts per square centimeter for thermal sources between 250° and 400°C. Scalable, efficient conversion of radiated waste heat into electrical power can be used to reduce energy consumption or to power electronics and sensors.

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Davids, Paul S., Kirsch, Jared, Starbuck, Andrew, Jarecki, Robert, Shank, Joshua, Peters, David. 2020-02-20. Electrical power generation from moderate-temperature radiative thermal sources. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aba2089

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