Thermophotovoltaic energy generation

US9116537B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Ivan Celanovic · Cambridge, US
• Walker Chan · Cambridge, US
• Peter Bermel · Cambridge, US
• Adrian Y. X. Yeng · Cambridge, US
• Christopher Marton · Herndon, US
• Michael Ghebrebrhan · Cambridge, US
• Mohammad Araghchini · Cambridge, US
• Klavs F. Jensen · Lincoln, US
• Marin Soljacic · Belmont, US
• John D. Joannopoulos · Belmont, US
• Steven G. Johnson · McLeansboro, US
• Robert Pilawa-Podgurski · Cambridge, US
• Peter H. Fisher · Cambridge, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 20, 2011
• Grant date: Aug 25, 2015
• Expiry date: Jul 20, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/50
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Inventive systems and methods for the generation of energy using thermophotovoltaic cells are described. Also described are systems and methods for selectively emitting electromagnetic radiation from an emitter for use in thermophotovoltaic energy generation systems. In at least some of the inventive energy generation systems and methods, a voltage applied to the thermophotovoltaic cell (e.g., to enhance the power produced by the cell) can be adjusted to enhance system performance. Certain embodiments of the systems and methods described herein can be used to generate energy relatively efficiently.