Metamaterial Enhanced Thermophotovoltaics

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion produces electrical power from heat energy using, in its most basic form, a thermal emitter and a photovoltaic converter. Since these systems typically have no or few moving parts, they provide a long term maintenance-free power generation. Key factors affecting performance include matching the emitter spectrum more precisely to the conversion characteristics and designing mechanical conversion systems that concentrate the radiant energy to maximize photovoltaic conversion and limit the conversion cost ($/W) by minimizing the required photovoltaic footprint. Nanohmics Inc., an early stage technology development company (Austin, TX) and Professor Gennady Shvets at The University of Texas at Austin propose to develop a complete system for energy recovery that incorporates a novel film to cover a hot power source.