Near-field radiative thermoelectric energy converters: a review

Abstract

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.

Keywords

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

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences (Grant No. DE-SC0018369). This material is also based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program under Grant No. (DGE-1650044). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agencies.

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