Thermoradiative Energy Conversion Devices Based on Narrow Bandgap Antimonide Semiconductors

热辐射电池中的能量转换将被探索为一种从热源中产生废热或收集能量的新方法。TR电池可以直接耦合到热源，为热能转换提供了一种有吸引力的手段，同时减小了尺寸、重量和复杂性。高性能热回收电池的成功将提供一种变革性的能量转换装置技术，为工业流程、空间电力系统和微系统中的热能收集提供简化的系统。虽然对TR电池的能量转换预测是乐观的(功率密度为100W/m2，在电池温度为500K时转换效率为20%)，但缺乏实验证明。这项工作旨在弥合理论预测和实验演示之间的差距，通过识别和详细研究现实的TR能量转换材料，设计和实现TR电池器件架构，以及通过策略来克服限制功率转换效率的损耗机制，来证明TR能量转换概念。以物理为基础的建模和实验材料和装置的研究活动将与与能量转换主题相关的教育和推广活动结合起来。这个项目将探索窄带隙半导体材料的基本物理，这将决定实际的反应堆电池的功率转换效率。俄歇复合和Shockley-Read-Hall复合的基本辐射复合特性和极限非辐射损耗机制将在TR电池工作温度和电荷载流子注入水平下详细研究，目前尚缺乏实验知识。这些物理性能将被用来指导设计和制造最佳的TR单元器件架构，随后是基于InAsSb和InSb的TR单元的后续实验制造和测试，以提供关于功率转换和限制损耗机制的关键反馈。将寻求克服损耗机制的策略，包括抑制第二类多量子井或超晶格中的俄歇复合，减少肖克利-里德-霍尔复合的势垒集成结构，以及最大限度地提高光学提取效率的光子设计。将根据这项工作的研究活动开发公共获取的在线教育材料，如tr cell计算器。活动将包括参加地方外联活动，以扩大妇女和代表不足的群体在科学和工程领域的参与。本科暑期研究项目将在该项目的每一年为主要为本科项目的地区机构的学生提供。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Energy conversion in thermoradiative (TR) cells will be explored as a new approach for wasteheat generation or energy harvesting from thermal sources. TR cells can be directly coupled to the heat source and offer an attractive means for thermal energy conversion with reduced size, weight, and complexity. Success of high-performance TR cells would provide a transformative energy conversion device technology that offers simplified systems for waste heat conversion for industrial processes, space power systems, and thermal energy harvesting in microsystems. While energy conversion projections have been optimistic for TR cells (power density 100 W/m2 and conversion efficiency 20 % for cell temperature of 500K), experimental demonstrations have been lacking. This work aims to bridge the gap between theoretical predictions and experimental demonstrations to prove the TR energy conversion concept through identification and detailed studies of realistic TR energy conversion materials, design and implementation of TR cell device architectures, and through strategies to overcome loss mechanisms that limit power conversion efficiency. Research activities on physics-based modeling and experimental materials and devices will be integrated with educational and outreach activities connected to the theme of energy conversion.This project will explore the underlying physics of narrow bandgap semiconductor materials that will determine practical TR cell power conversion efficiencies. The fundamental radiative recombination properties and limiting non-radiative loss mechanisms of Auger and Shockley-Read-Hall recombination will be studied in detail at TR cell operating temperatures and charge carrier injection levels, where there is currently a lack of experimental knowledge. The physical properties will be used to inform the design and fabrication of optimal TR cell device architectures, followed by subsequent experimental fabrication and testing of TR cells based on InAsSb and InSb to provide critical feedback on power conversion and limiting loss mechanisms. Strategies will be pursued to overcome loss mechanisms, including suppression of Auger recombination in type-II multiquantum wells or superlattices, barrier-integrated architectures such as pBn to reduce Shockley-Read-Hall recombination, and photonic design to maximize optical extraction efficiency. Public access online educational materials will be developed based on the research activities of this work, such as a TR cell calculator. Activities will include participation in local outreach activities aimed at broadening participation from women and underrepresented groups in science and engineering. Undergraduate summer research projects will be offered in each year of the program for students from regional institutions with primarily undergraduate programs.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.