DID YOU KNOW? DTIC has over 3.5 million final reports on DoD funded research, development, test, and evaluation activities available to our registered users. Click
HERE to register or log in.
Accession Number:
ADA582374
Title:
Toward High-Energy-Density, High-Efficiency, and Moderate-Temperature Chip-Scale Thermophotovoltaics
Descriptive Note:
Journal article
Corporate Author:
ILLINOIS UNIV AT URBANA DEPT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
Report Date:
2013-04-02
Pagination or Media Count:
7.0
Abstract:
The challenging problem of ultra-high-energy-density, high-efficiency, and small-scale portable power generation is addressed here using a distinctive thermophotovoltaic energy conversion mechanism and chip-based system design, which we name the microthermophotovoltaic TPV generator. The approach is predicted to be capable of up to 32 efficient heat-to-electricity conversion within a millimeter-scale form factor. Although considerable technological barriers need to be overcome to reach full performance, we have performed a robust experimental demonstration that validates the theoretical framework and the key system components. Even with a much-simplified TPV system design with theoretical efficiency prediction of 2.7, we experimentally demonstrate 2.5 efficiency. The TPV experimental system that was built and tested comprises a silicon propane microcombustor, an integrated high-temperature photonic crystal selective thermal emitter, four 0.55-eV GaInAsSb thermophotovoltaic diodes, and an ultrahigh- efficiency maximum power-point tracking power electronics converter. The system was demonstrated to operate up to 800 C silicon microcombustor temperaturewith an input thermal power of 13.7W, generating 344 mW of electric power over a 1-cmexpn 2 area.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
