Japan develops thermoelectric devices

    A research team at Kyoto University in Japan has developed a new device that can convert heat into light and use Solar Power Systems For Sale cells to generate electricity, thereby improving energy conversion efficiency.

    The current theoretical limit of energy conversion efficiency of silicon photovoltaic cells is about 30%, while the conversion efficiency of thermo-optical power generation can theoretically exceed 35%. As a new technology that contributes to the realization of a decarbonized society, thermo-optical power generation is planned to be put into use in 10 years.

    The research team narrowed the distance between the light source of the device and the photovoltaic cell to 140 nanometers, which is shorter than the wavelength of light. The technology of precisely stacking fine structures is adopted, and the light source is supported by a thin beam of 10 microns.

    Since the light source and the photovoltaic cell are very close to each other to form an integration, the generated light will not be reflected inside the light source and can be transmitted to the photovoltaic cell. In the experiment, the research team heated the light source to about 1000°C and found that photovoltaic cells made of indium, gallium and arsenic can get more light.

    This achievement surpassed the so-called black body limit. It has been confirmed that the current generated by photovoltaic cells is about 5-10 times that of previous thermo-optical power generation devices.