This device can generate solar power even at night
A group of researchers from the University of New South Wales has come up with a new technology that can generate solar power, even when the Sun's gone down. After passing its tests on Earth, this gadget is all set for a space trial. The magic behind it? Well, it uses something called thermoradiative power generation, which is all about harnessing the temperature gap between our planet and outer space.
Science behind the power generation
Thermoradiative power generation is basically using the temperature difference between Earth and the coldness of space to generate electricity. You see, everything—yes, including Earth—gives off infrared radiation. The new device created by researchers catches this outgoing radiation and turns it into electricity. At its core, this gadget has a special semiconductor that grabs the radiant heat from Earth's infrared light to produce an electrical current.
It's a type of thermoradiative diode
The semiconductor device at the heart of this technology is a kind of thermoradiative diode. It's made from materials similar to those used in night-vision goggles. As Dr Phoebe Pearce, one of the researchers on the project explains, "In the same way that a solar cell can generate electricity by absorbing sunlight emitted from a very hot sun, the thermoradiative diode generates electricity by emitting infrared light into a colder environment."
Efficiency and future improvements
The efficiency of this new tech is still on the lower side, but the research team is pretty optimistic about future upgrades. The power it kicks out is tiny—100,000 times less than what a solar panel provides—but it's a clear-cut demonstration of electrical power, according to Professor Ekins-Daukes. He even hinted that this tech could one day tap into body heat to generate power, which could mean no more batteries for some devices or at least help recharge them.
The device could be used in spacecraft
The team is also exploring how this tech could be a game-changer for spacecraft. Satellites in low Earth orbit often find themselves in the dark and have to rely on batteries during these periods. Thermoradiative diode offers a potential solution to generate power even without sunlight. "In a similar way, we intend to fly the thermoradiative diode in space within the next two years," concluded Professor Ekins-Daukes.
