High efficiency thermoelectric unit within an autonomous solar energy converter

Author(s):  
Z. Dashevsky ◽  
D. Kaftori ◽  
D. Rabinovich
1972 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Bailey

The potential advantages of terrestrially utilizing nonpolluting solar energy are well-known. One of the more promising approaches to achieving the desired high solar-electrical conversion efficiency is the direct process, avoiding Carnot efficiency limitations of heat engines. The chief present-art example is the large area silicon solar cell based on utilization of quantum properties of light. In the United States it is now an established technology created from the space program. This paper presents the results of some preliminary new research exploring the possibilities of creating high efficiency solar-electricity converters utilizing wave-like properties of radiation interacting with absorber-converter elements. The concept is revealed for what is believed to be a new, unique, and potentially useful pyramidical solar radiation absorber-converter structure. It is based on the possibility of extending concepts of power absorbing antennas and converters to the visible light range. The resulting proposed converter structure would have a rough surface texture and yield a d-c output. It may have, if subsequently researched, significant efficiency, cost, and fabricating advantages, particularly for large-scale terrestrial utilization of solar energy. The concept is called an Electromagnetic Wave Energy Converter (EWEC). Concept validity evidences of a preliminary kind at both microwave and near light wavelengths are presented.


Author(s):  
Yubing Peng ◽  
Yunjie Wang ◽  
Wenwei Li ◽  
Jian Jin

A bio-inspired PANI nanofiber layer was fabricated on the surface of a hydrophobic PVDF microfiltration membrane for solar-driven distillation. This membrane possesses high solar energy-to-collected water efficiency for freshwater production under one sun irradiation.


Author(s):  
Yangbo Deng ◽  
Fengmin Su ◽  
Chunji Yan

The solar energy converter in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) system, applies the solid frame structure of the ceramic foams to receive the concentrated solar radiation, convert it into thermal energy, and heat the air flow through the ceramic foams by convection heat transfer. In this paper, first, the pressure drops in the studied ceramic foams were measured under all kinds of flow condition. Based on the experimental results, an empirical numerical model was built for the air flow through ceramic foams. Second, a 3-D numerical model was built, for the receiving and conversion of the solar energy in the ceramic foams of the solar energy converter. Third, applying two aforementioned numerical models, the numerical studies of the thermal performance were carried out, for the solar energy converter filled with the ceramic foams, and results show that the structure parameters of the ceramic foams, the effective reflective area and the solar radiation intensity of the solar concentrator, have direct impacts on the absorptivity and conversion efficiency of the solar energy in the solar energy converter. And the results of the numerical studies are found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental measurements. This paper will provide a reference for the design and manufacture of the solar energy converter with the ceramic foams.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 015703 ◽  
Author(s):  
S D Erickson ◽  
T J Smith ◽  
L M Moses ◽  
R K Watt ◽  
J S Colton

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julius E. Yellowhair ◽  
Hoyeong Kwon ◽  
Andrea Alu ◽  
Robert L. Jarecki ◽  
Subhash L. Shinde

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