Near-field radiative thermoelectric energy converters: a review

作者：Tervo Eric; Bagherisereshki Elham; Zhang Zhuomin^*

来源：Frontiers in Energy, 2018, 12(1): 5-21.

DOI：10.1007/s11708-017-0517-z

• energy conversion systems
• luminescent refrigeration
• near-field radiation
• thermophotovoltaic
• thermoradiative cell

Radiative thermoelectric energy converters, which include thermophotovoltaic cells, thermoradiative cells, electroluminescent refrigerators, and negative electroluminescent refrigerators, are semiconductor p-n devices that either generate electricity or extract heat from a cold body while exchanging thermal radiation with their surroundings. If this exchange occurs at micro or nanoscale distances, power densities can be greatly enhanced and near-field radiation effects may improve performance. This review covers the fundamentals of near-field thermal radiation, photon entropy, and nonequilibrium effects in semiconductor diodes that underpin device operation. The development and state of the art of these near-field converters are discussed in detail, and remaining challenges and opportunities for progress are identified.

• 出版日期2018-3