The Third Way of Thermal-Electric Conversion beyond Seebeck and Pyroelectric Effects

Thermal-electric conversion is crucial for smart energy control and harvesting, such as thermal sensing and waste heat recovering. So far, people are aware of only two ways of direct thermal-electric conversion, Seebeck and pyroelectric effects, each with distinct working conditions and limitations. Here, we report the third way of thermal-electric conversion beyond Seebeck and pyroelectric effects. In contrast to Seebeck effect that requires spatial temperature difference, the-third-way converts the time-dependent ambient temperature fluctuation into electricity, similar to the behavior of pyroelectricity. However, the-third-way is also distinct from pyroelectric effect in the sense that it does not require polar materials but applies to general conducting systems. We demonstrate that the-third-way results from the temperature-fluctuation-induced dynamical charge redistribution. It is a consequence of the fundamental nonequilibrium thermodynamics and has a deep connection to the topological phase in quantum mechanics. The findings expand our knowledge and provide new means of thermal-electric energy harvesting.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

NSF presentation

Wind energy conversion research is considered in the framework of the national energy problem. Research and development efforts for the practical application of solar energy -- including wind energy -- as alternative energy supplies are assessed in: (1) Heating and cooling of buildings; (2) photovoltaic energy conversion; (3) solar thermal energy conversion; (4) wind energy conversion; (5) ocean thermal energy conversion; (6) photosynthetic production of organic matter; and (7) conversion of organic matter into fuels

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

Energy Research and Development Administration research progress in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is outlined. The development program is being focused on cost effective heat exchangers; ammonia is generally used as the heat exchange fluid. Projected costs for energy production by OTEC vary between $1000 to$1700 per kW

Large mass dilepton production from jet-dilepton conversion in the quark-gluon plasma

We calculate the production of large mass dileptons from the passage of jets passing through the quark-gluon plasma. Using the relativistic kinetic theory, we rigorously derive the production rate for the jet-dilepton conversion in the hot medium. The jet-dilepton conversion is compared with the thermal dilepton emission and the Drell-Yan process. The contribution of the jet-dilepton conversion is not prominent for all values of the invariant mass $M$, and the Drell-Yan process is found to dominate over the thermal dilepton emission and the jet-dilepton conversion for $M>$2.5 GeV at RHIC. The jet-dilepton conversion is the dominant source of large mass dileptons in the range of 4 GeV $<M<$10 GeV at LHC.Comment: 2 figure

Photo-Thermal Solar Energy Conversion Device

Photo-thermal solar energy device was constructed using local available materials for producing hot water for house hold uses. The motivation for this research is to find an alternative source of power for this purpose, since we have epileptic supply of conventional power in the country. It was observed that intensity of solar radiation varies with time and the temperature of water produced depended on the amount of solar radiation and the time of the day as observed from the graphs plotted. We obtained boiling water at 100 degrees Celsius with the device at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State. Nigeria

Selective Emitters

This invention relates to a small particle selective emitter for converting thermal energy into narrow band radiation with high efficiency. The small particle selective emitter is used in combination with a photovoltaic array to provide a thermal to electrical energy conversion device. An energy conversion apparatus of this type is called a thermo-photovoltaic device. In the first embodiment, small diameter particles of a rare earth oxide are suspended in an inert gas enclosed between concentric cylinders. The rare earth oxides are used because they have the desired property of large emittance in a narrow wavelength band and small emittance outside the band. However, it should be emphasized that it is the smallness of the particles that enhances the radiation property. The small particle selective emitter is surrounded by a photovoltaic array. In an alternate embodiment, the small particle gas mixture is circulated through a thermal energy source. This thermal energy source can be a nuclear reactor, solar receiver, or combustor of a fossil fuel

Heat absorption properties of ground material for solar chimney power plants

One of the major challenges to the widespread application of the solar chimney power plant is its low-power conversion efficiency because of the three technological processes involved. The chimney efficiency is difficult to improve, and thus enhancing the collector or turbine performance can considerably improve the total plant efficiency. This work focused on enhancing the energy conversion efficiency of the collector and also extending the operation time using a heat storage medium. The solar to thermal conversion and thermal storage capabilities of six ground materials that are potentially available in Malaysia were studied experimentally and numerically. The experimental model was designed such that the six materials were exposed to the same operation boundary conditions. The numerical studies were conducted using ANSYS software, where the geometrical models were developed and simulated using FLUENT for the fluid flow and energy/thermal field studies. The selected ground materials were ceramic, black stones, sawdust, dark-green painted wood, sand, and pebbles. The simulation and experimental results are in good agreement in terms of air stream velocity and energy conversion efficiency. The results showed that the different materials have different heat storage capacities, and that ceramics extend the operation with improved efficiency until nighttime. The results also showed that ceramic and black stones have better performance than the other materials. However, black stones are recommended as the absorbing material for solar chimney power plants in Malaysia and regional countries because they are readily available

Alternative power-generation systems

The present state of the art of thermal power systems is surveyed. Because of the great potential variety of thermal power systems, the heat sources, the power conversion systems, and the integration of thermal power systems with missions are treated sequentially