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Nighttime Power: Scientists Reverse Solar Panel Tech
20 Jan
Summary
- Researchers developed a device generating electricity by emitting light.
- The technology converts infrared radiation into usable electrical power.
- This innovation could power satellites during dark periods in orbit.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) are pioneering a groundbreaking technology that generates electricity after sunset. Their thermoradiative diode converts infrared radiation, the heat emitted by the Earth, into electrical power. This innovative approach functions as a reverse solar panel, absorbing ambient heat and converting it into usable energy.
The team demonstrated electrical power generation from these diodes in 2022, building on work from Harvard and Stanford. While the current output is minimal, comparable to powering a digital watch, the technology's potential is significant. Professor Ned Ekins-Daukes believes its primary application lies in space, powering satellites during their orbital periods without sunlight.
In space, the absence of an atmosphere creates a larger temperature difference, allowing the diodes to operate more efficiently. This could provide auxiliary power to satellites, supplementing traditional solar panels during darkness. NASA scientists are also exploring similar technologies for deep space missions and lunar rovers, potentially replacing heavy radioactive power sources with lighter, more efficient diode systems.
UNSW's team is planning a balloon test flight to trial their diode technology in space. They are also investigating materials that could accelerate commercial availability within five years, potentially within the next five to ten years for deep space applications.
