Looking for thermophotovoltaic cells...

• Jan 17, 2011

• #1

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hellokittyhk

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Hello everyone!

I'm looking for thermophotovoltaic panels, the ones that absorb infrared radiation.
I've looked around and couldn't find anyway...
I posted a similar thread at CPF, but not much is coming up.

It might be a tough request though...Thank you so much in advance!

 

Last edited: Jan 17, 2011

• Jan 18, 2011

• #2

Cyparagon

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What is your ultimate objective? What will you be using them for? See sig.

 

• Jan 18, 2011

• #3

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hellokittyhk

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No "real" objective; I'd like to do an experiment with collecting the heat from incandescent bulbs and recycling it.
Preferably, the panels would be either transparent (to visible light), or reflective (also visible light only).
Thanks for the quick response .

 

• Jan 18, 2011

• #4

Cyparagon

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I've never heard of such a thing. :undecided: If it does exist, it won't be cheap.

To use an inefficient lamp and recycle some of the wasted energy seems to be an exercise in futility when you know efficient lamps are readily available. If your goal is a more efficient lamp, you can use a CFL. If it is just to screw around, you could try finding a white paint that absorbs IR and paint a TEC with it. Conversion will be low, but that is the only thing that comes to mind.

Maybe somehow isolate the IR with glass coated with indium tin oxide

 

Last edited: Jan 18, 2011

• Jan 18, 2011

• #5

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hellokittyhk

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Definitely no practical purpose for this, just a little fun I guess.

Yes, I figured they wouldn't be too popular/cheap, but I saw this:
Imec significantly reduces cost of germanium-based thermophotovoltaic cells
So I assumed firstly that they exist, and secondly that they're not absurdly expensive. I was hoping a few times more expensive than small solar panels at worst.

EDIT: Also this too.
Breakthrough in Converting Heat Waste to Electricity: Automotive, Chemical, Brick and Glass Industries Could Benefit from Discovery

 

Last edited: Jan 19, 2011

• Jan 23, 2011

• #6

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hellokittyhk

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One more bump and I will assume this is bad request.

 

• Jan 24, 2011

• #7

Bluefan

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Those thermophotovoltaic cell will be far to expensive, they basically say it's not needed anymore to have an expensive scientist making the cells in a cleanroom in small batches using an expensive process, but that now an expensive scientist can make the cells in a cleanroom in small batches using a less expensive process.

 

• Jan 25, 2011

• #8

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LSRFAQ

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I'd love to tell you but I'm under a NDA. Its something I did in a university lab a few years ago. Don't give up If you cant find the cells, cough sapphire or water, and 'hermopiles cough...

Steve

 

• Jan 25, 2011

• #9

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hellokittyhk

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Yeah thermopiles look like a much more feasible option TBH...if anyone has suggestions concerning those, they are welcome too .

 

• Jan 29, 2011

• #10

LarryDFW

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hellokittyhk;

You can just operate these in reverse:

6A Peltier

Heat on one side, cold surface on other side.

Power from leads.

LarryDFW