CAREER: Metamaterial-Enhanced Thermal Energy Harvesters

研究目标和方法：这项研究的目标是创造一种新型的热光电池，将热辐射(热)转化为电能，利用家用电器、工厂和发电过程中频繁出现的大范围热温度。这种方法是利用红外光电探测器的最新进展，该探测器部分由PI开发，可以最大限度地将光转化为电流。智能优点：热光电能有效地转换能量，但传统上无法转换波长为3微米的光子，这意味着只能使用非常热的源(1500°C)。这项工作探索了用应变层超晶格取代块体材料，并用一种新的基于势垒的设计PBN取代传统的PIN光电二极管，这种设计分别降低了俄歇和肖克利-里德-霍尔复合速率。这可以使即使在接近体温的温度下也可以进行热能转换。广泛的影响：除了在塔夫茨开设一门关于绿色能源技术的好处和局限性的新课程外，这笔赠款还将增加学生应用和扩展他们在课堂上获得的知识并将其用于研究环境的机会。国际和平协会致力于为这个国家培训下一代工程师和科学家，重点是代表不足的群体。创建普遍可访问的基于网络和博物馆的绿色能源动画的提议可能有助于激励代表不足的群体在科学或工程领域寻求工作。提高发电的能效，以及潜在的每一种用电设备，都将产生深远的、广泛的社会和经济影响。

ABSTRACTResearch Objectives and Approaches: The objective of this research is to create a new class of thermophotovoltaic cells cells that convert thermal radiation (heat) into electricity that harness wide-ranging heat temperatures frequently occurring in home appliances, factories, and during electricity generation. The approach is to use recent advances in infrared photodetectors, developed in part by the PI, which maximize conversion of light into electrical current. Intellectual Merit: Thermophotovoltaics convert energy efficiently, but have traditionally not been able to convert photons of wavelengths 3-microns, meaning that only very hot sources (1500°C) can be used. The work proposed explores substitution of bulk materials with strained-layer superlattices, and replacing the traditional pin-photodiode with a new barrier-based design, called pBn, which reduce Auger and Shockley-Read-Hall recombination rates, respectively. This could allow for thermal-energy conversion even at temperatures approaching body heat.Broader Impacts: In addition to creating a new course on the benefits and limitations of green energy technologies at Tufts, this grant will enhance the opportunity for students to apply and expand upon the knowledge they have gained in the classroom and utilize it in a research setting. The PI is dedicated to training the next generation of engineers and scientists for this country, with a focus on underrepresented groups. The proposed creation of universally accessibly web- and museum-based green-energy animations could help inspire underrepresented groups to pursue jobs in science or engineering. Increased energy efficiency of power-generation, and potentially every device that uses electricity, would elicit profound, widespread societal and economic effects.