OSE Seminars
Thermophotovoltaic power generation from solar and waste heat
Presented by Dr. Peter Bermel, Purdue University
Thermophotovoltaics (TPV) generate electricity through a unique mechanism: harvesting thermal radiation with a photovoltaic cell. The input heat can be generated through a number of sources, including concentrated solar heating and waste heat. In principle, its heat-to-electricity efficiency can approach 85% at sufficiently high temperatures. Although the very first TPV devices had low performance, significant progress has recently been made by researchers worldwide in closing this gap. In these studies, several key themes have emerged, namely: efficiently harvesting high-temperature heat to power these devices; selectively radiating this heat to minimize wasted photons; and fabricating efficient, temperature-controlled photovoltaic cells with moderate bandgaps to generate maximal power. In this talk, we will review the limits of TPV in selected sustainable energy harvesting applications, the role of losses at various stages, and the potential of photonics and advanced semiconductor growth processes to help overcome these key challenges.
11:00 am, Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Room 101, Center for High Tech Materials
Science and Technology Park - South Campus
Individuals with disabilities who need an auxiliary aid or service to attend or participate in P&A events should contact the Physics Department (phone: 505-277-2616, email: physics@unm.edu) well in advance to ensure your needs are accomodated. Event handouts can be provided in alternative accessible formats upon request. Please contact the Physics front office if you need written information in an alternative format.
A schedule of talks within the Department of Physics and Astronomy is available on the P&A web site at http://physics.unm.edu/pandaweb/events/index.php