Thermophotovoltaics is the science and technology associated with the direct generation of electricity from high temperature heat. Potential applications include combined heat and power, portable and auxiliary power, radioisotope space power, industrial waste heat recovery and concentrated solar power. This book aims at serving as an introduction to the underlying theory, overview of present day components and system arrangements, and update of the latest developments in the field. The emphasis is placed on the understanding of the critical aspects of efficient thermophotovoltaic system design. The aim is to assist researchers in the field.

This is a text book presenting the fundamentals of thermophotovoltaic(TPV) energy conversion suitable for an upper undergraduate or first year graduate course. In addition it can serve as a reference or design aid for engineers developing TPV systems. Each chapter includes a summary and concludes with a set of problems.The first chapter presents the electromagnetic theory and radiation transfer theory necessary to calculate the optical properties of the components in a TPV optical cavity. Using a simplified model, Chapter 2 develops expressions for the maximum efficiency and power density for an ideal TPV system. The next three chapters consider the three major components in a TPV system; the emitter, filter and photovoltaic(PV) array. Chapter 3 applies the electromagnetic theory and radiation transfer theory presented in Chapter 1 in the calculation of spectral emittance. From the spectral emittance the emitter efficiency is calculated. Chapter 4 discusses interference, plasma and resonant array filters plus an interference filter with an imbedded metallic layer, a combined interference-plasma filter and spectral control using a back surface reflector(BSR) on the PV array. The theory necessary to calculate the optical properties of these filters is presented. Chapter 5 presents the fundamentals of semiconductor PV cells. Using transport equations calculation of the current-voltage relation for a PV cell is carried out. Quantum efficiency, spectral response and the electrical equivalent circuit for a PV cell are introduced so that the PV cell efficiency and power output can be calculated.The final three chapters of the book consider the combination of the emitter, filter and PV array that make up the optical cavity of a TPV system. Chapter 6 applies radiation transfer theory to calculate the cavity efficiency of planar and cylindrical optical cavities. Also introduced in Chapter 6 are the overall TPV efficiency, thermal efficiency and PV efficiency. Leakage of radiation out of the optical cavity results in a significant loss in TPV efficiency. Chapter 7 considers that topic. The final chapter presents a model for a planar TPV system.Six appendices present background information necessary to carry out theoretical developments in the text. Two of the appendices include Mathematica programs for the spectral optical properties of multi-layer interference filters and a planar TPV system. Software is included for downloading all the programs within the book. - First text written on thermophotovoltaic(TPV) energy conversion - Includes all the necessary theory to calculate TPV system performance - Author has been doing TPV energy conversion research since 1980's - Emphasizes the fundamentals of TPV energy conversion - Includes a summary and problem set at the end of each chapter - Includes Mathematica programs for calculating optical properties of interference filters and planar TPV system performance solution software

This book brings together leading names in the field of nanoscale energy transport to provide a comprehensive and insightful review of this developing topic. The text covers new developments in the scientific basis and the practical relevance of nanoscale energy transport, highlighting the emerging effects at the nanoscale that qualitatively differ from those at the macroscopic scale. Throughout the book, microscopic energy carriers are discussed, including photons, electrons and magnons. State-of-the-art computational and experimental nanoscale energy transport methods are reviewed, and a broad range of materials system topics are considered, from interfaces and molecular junctions to nanostructured bulk materials. Nanoscale Energy Transport is a valuable reference for researchers in physics, materials, mechanical and electrical engineering, and it provides an excellent resource for graduate students.

With increasing apprehensions over global warming and environmental issues, the need to develop renewable energy is becoming more critical to secure our future energy needs. Solar energy is the most abundant source of energy and is easily accessible. However, making efficient use of solar energy is not an easy task. Energy materials, especially in their micro and nanoscale, have an excellent potential for absorbing, transferring and storing solar energy when they are dispersed in an aqueous medium. The increased surface area to volume ratio of energy materials at nanoscale exhibits extraordinary characteristics. Various applications relevant to heat transfer, energy conversion, and storage have increasingly used nanoparticles due to their ability to absorb, store, and carry heat. However, successful deployment of materials in energy harvesting and storage applications must also consider some of the very fundamental challenges, including but not limited to sedimentation, entrainment, stability, and life of these potential energy materials. Additionally, there are novel applications of newly developed specialized materials in solar energy capture, transport and storage. This topic is to circumscribe all challenges, innovative applications and numerical studies in materials for energy capture, transfer, and storage to have a safe future in terms of solar energy utilization.

Near-Field Radiative Heat Transfer across Nanometer Vacuum Gaps provides an in-depth description of fundamentals and application of near-field radiative heat transfer. When the vacuum gap between two media is on the order of nanometers, heat transfer can exceed that between blackbodies. This book investigates near-field heat transfer between different materials and geometries highlighting interplay between optics, material thermophysical properties and electromagnetism. The book also highlights the application of near-field thermal radiation in the field of power generation, imaging, and thermal systems as an analog of electronic devices. - Brings together research in near-field radiative heat transfer in a focused and comprehensive manner, allowing those new to the topic to gain a thorough understanding of the science and how it can be used - Offers focused coverage of heat transfer in near-field radiation, which other books do not - Outlines the interplay between optics, electromagnetics, basic thermodynamics, and thermophysical properties of materials during near-field heat transfer

Annotation Compared to the earlier convenings, the third demonstrated more interest in GaSb and its related ternary and quaternary alloys and the back-surface reflector technique for recirculating sub-bandgap photons, but less to multi-layer dielectric stacks and to transparent conducting oxides. After summaries of each of the eight sessions by the chair, the 43 papers cover overviews, devices based on GaSb and related materials, selective radiators, devices based on InGaAs, whole systems, novel concepts, and modeling and characterizing systems. Among the individual topics are modeling the system optical cavity, the advantages of quantum well solar cells, multi-fuel liquid hydrocarbon generators, applications of the super-emissive light pipe, a novel design for monolithically interconnected modules for power conversion, multiple-dopant selective emitter, improvements in GaSb cells, and an overview of European activities. Reproduced from typescripts, some double spaced. No subject index. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Advanced Power Generation Systems: Thermal Sources evaluates advances made in heat-to-power technologies for conventional combustion heat and nuclear heat, along with natural sources of geothermal, solar, and waste heat generated from the use of different sources. These advances will render the landscape of power generation significantly different in just a few decades. This book covers the commercial viability of advanced technologies and identifies where more work needs to be done. Since power is the future of energy, these technologies will remain sustainable over a long period of time. Key Features Covers power generation and heat engines Details photovoltaics, thermo-photovoltaics, and thermoelectricity Includes discussion of nuclear and renewable energy as well as waste heat This book will be useful for advanced students, researchers, and professionals interested in power generation and energy industries.

This book offers a unified presentation of metamaterials building from fundamental nanophotonic principles.

This book provides a comprehensive overview on fully thermal and hybrid solar generators based on thermoelectric devices. The book fills a gap in the literature on solar conversion and thermoelectrics, because despite the growing number of papers dealing with the use of thermoelectrics in solar power conversion, no book exists for PV specialists or thermoelectricity experts to enter this field. The book is intended as a primer for scientists or engineers willing to complement their expertise in one of the two fields, and to get an updated, critical review of the state of the art in thermoelectric solar harvesting.