Sub-wavelength Dielectric Grating for Solar Energy Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The diffuse nature of solar energy received at the Earth's surface hampers efficient energy conversion, leading to large facilities required for commercial-scale solar energy utilization, particularly in urban areas where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
An energy collection system incorporating a non-periodic, sub-wavelength, dielectric grating for energy concentration, combined with a guided mode resonant waveguide, to focus and transmit electromagnetic radiation efficiently onto solar energy collection devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional solar energy collection facilities are used, then sufficient solar energy can be collected, but large real estate area is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a grating reflector as an intermediary optical element between the incident sunlight and the solar cells. This grating reflector concentrates the diffuse solar radiation onto the solar cells, acting as a mediator that transforms the low-density diffuse light into high-density concentrated light, thereby improving energy collection efficiency without proportionally increasing the real estate area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by using a grating reflector with specific periodic structures that manipulate the path and concentration of light. By adjusting the grating parameters (period, depth, width), the system optimizes the concentration ratio of solar radiation onto the solar cells, enabling higher energy collection density per unit area
2Productivity
If the grating reflector concentrates solar radiation, then energy collection efficiency improves, but control of concentrated light position becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through the grating reflector design that automatically adjusts and maintains the concentrated light position on the solar cells. The periodic structure of the grating reflector creates predictable and stable light concentration patterns, providing inherent feedback control that ensures the concentrated radiation remains optimally positioned on the solar cells under varying conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enhances energy collection efficiency by concentrating and directing electromagnetic radiation onto solar cells, allowing for more compact and effective solar energy harvesting, even in urban environments.
Implementation Method 1
a guided mode resonant waveguide disposed proximate at least a portion of the non-periodic sub-wavelength, dielectric grating
Implementation Method 2
a guided mode resonant waveguide disposed proximate at least a portion of the non-periodic sub-wavelength, dielectric grating
Implementation Method 3
absorbing at least a portion of the transmitted electromagnetic radiation using the energy collection device
Data Source
AI summary
An energy collection system is provided. The system can include an energy collection device and an energy concentration device disposed proximate at least a portion of the energy collection device. The energy concentration device includes a non-periodic, sub-wavelength, dielectric grating.