Switchable radiative energy harvesting systems and methods of harvesting radiation are disclosed. A system includes an optical filter that includes at least one of an active material and a passive material. The optical filter is switchable between a shield mode and a harvesting mode such that the at least one of the active material and the passive material is in a reflecting state during the shield mode such that the optical filter blocks passage of radiation from a thermal emitter to a thermophotovoltaic cell and a transmitting state during the harvesting mode such that that the optical filter allows the radiation to pass from the thermal emitter to the thermophotovoltaic cell.

Switchable radiative energy harvesting systems and methods of harvesting radiation are disclosed. A system includes an optical filter that includes at least one of an active material and a passive material. The optical filter is switchable between a shield mode and a harvesting mode such that the at least one of the active material and the passive material is in a reflecting state during the shield mode such that the optical filter blocks passage of radiation from a thermal emitter to a thermophotovoltaic cell and a transmitting state during the harvesting mode such that that the optical filter allows the radiation to pass from the thermal emitter to the thermophotovoltaic cell.

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems and devices with improved efficiencies are disclosed herein. In one example, a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cell includes an active layer; a back-surface reflective (BSR) layer; and a spacer layer positioned between the active layer and back-surface reflective layer.

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems and devices with improved efficiencies are disclosed herein. In one example, a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cell includes an active layer; a back-surface reflective (BSR) layer; and a spacer layer positioned between the active layer and back-surface reflective layer.

A PV device comprises a first mirror comprising a reflectance of higher than 50%; a second mirror interface; and an optical cavity positioned between the first mirror and the second mirror interface and comprising at least one IC stage. Each of the at least one IC stage comprises a conduction band; a valence band; a hole barrier comprising a first band gap; an absorption region coupled to the hole barrier, comprising a second band gap that is less than the first band gap, and configured to absorb photons; and an electron barrier coupled to the absorption region so that the absorption region is positioned between the hole barrier and the electron barrier. The electron barrier comprises a third band gap that is greater than the second band gap. The PV device is configured to operate at a forward bias voltage with a net photon absorption for generating an electric output.

A PV device comprises a first mirror comprising a reflectance of higher than 50%; a second mirror interface; and an optical cavity positioned between the first mirror and the second mirror interface and comprising at least one IC stage. Each of the at least one IC stage comprises a conduction band; a valence band; a hole barrier comprising a first band gap; an absorption region coupled to the hole barrier, comprising a second band gap that is less than the first band gap, and configured to absorb photons; and an electron barrier coupled to the absorption region so that the absorption region is positioned between the hole barrier and the electron barrier. The electron barrier comprises a third band gap that is greater than the second band gap. The PV device is configured to operate at a forward bias voltage with a net photon absorption for generating an electric output.

A thermophotovoltaic generator incorporating a two-stage combustor for providing heat to a thermophotovoltaic cell. Combustor parts include a partial oxidation reactor, which functions catalytically to convert a hydrocarbon fuel and a first supply of an oxidant into a gaseous partial oxidation product; and further include downstream thereof, a deep oxidation reactor including a premixer plenum fluidly connected to a heat spreader comprising a porous matrix, such as a ceramic foam. Functionally, the deep oxidation reactor converts the gaseous partial oxidation product and a second supply of oxidant into complete combustion products. Heat produced by the two-stage combustor generates radiative energy from a photon emitter, which is directly converted to electricity in a photovoltaic diode cell.

A thermophotovoltaic generator incorporating a two-stage combustor for providing heat to a thermophotovoltaic cell. Combustor parts include a partial oxidation reactor, which functions catalytically to convert a hydrocarbon fuel and a first supply of an oxidant into a gaseous partial oxidation product; and further include downstream thereof, a deep oxidation reactor including a premixer plenum fluidly connected to a heat spreader comprising a porous matrix, such as a ceramic foam. Functionally, the deep oxidation reactor converts the gaseous partial oxidation product and a second supply of oxidant into complete combustion products. Heat produced by the two-stage combustor generates radiative energy from a photon emitter, which is directly converted to electricity in a photovoltaic diode cell.

The present disclosure relates to an energy harvesting technology for generating electrical energy by using a combination of a solar cell and a thermoelectric device. An energy harvesting system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a solar cell for generating electrical energy based on sunlight; a heat transfer layer formed on at least one edge portion of the upper surface of the solar cell on which sunlight is incident; and a thermoelectric device including a first electrode, a second electrode, a thermoelectric channel disposed between the first and second electrodes, having a horizontal structure in which the first electrode is disposed on the heat transfer layer to be arranged horizontally with respect to the solar cell, and configured to generate additional electrical energy based on the temperature difference between the first and second electrodes.

The present disclosure relates to an energy harvesting technology for generating electrical energy by using a combination of a solar cell and a thermoelectric device. An energy harvesting system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a solar cell for generating electrical energy based on sunlight; a heat transfer layer formed on at least one edge portion of the upper surface of the solar cell on which sunlight is incident; and a thermoelectric device including a first electrode, a second electrode, a thermoelectric channel disposed between the first and second electrodes, having a horizontal structure in which the first electrode is disposed on the heat transfer layer to be arranged horizontally with respect to the solar cell, and configured to generate additional electrical energy based on the temperature difference between the first and second electrodes.