Optics and Photonics August 19, 2020
An international team of researchers (USA – Stanford, Israel) analyzed the basic thermodynamics of a heat engine, with the hot side under the roof and the top of the roof radiating thermal energy out into the environment. They developed models to maximize the amount of electrical power generated for various temperature gradients. The team’s design for a nighttime power generator would occupy a rooftop area of 1 m2. It incorporates a radiative emitting panel, a state-of-the-art TEG made of metal alloy, and a heat sink, with radiation shields and insulative pegs to reduce radiative and conductive losses on the back side. The state-of-the-art TEG that the team modeled has a ZT of 6…read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Schematic setup of the TEG utilizing radiative cooling. Credit: Optics Express Vol. 28, Issue 17, pp. 25460-25470 (2020)