Nanogap Thermophotovoltaic Structure With Posts to Limit Conduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermophotovoltaic devices face scalability challenges due to small footprint designs, significant parasitic conduction losses in large area gaps, and complex nanofabrication processes, making it difficult to manufacture large area devices with a consistent nanogap between the emitter and the photovoltaic cell.

Innovation Solution

A thermophotovoltaic device design featuring a platform and a photovoltaic cell separated by three posts, with each post paired with a gap that maintains a consistent nanoscale gap between the emitter and the cell, allowing for efficient conversion of near-infrared or mid-infrared light to electricity, utilizing III-V alloys and epitaxy techniques for precise fabrication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If small footprint devices are used, then near-field heat transfer is achieved, but scalability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generationVSAvoidscalability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into modular components (emitter, photovoltaic cell, posts, gaps) that can be independently fabricated and then assembled. The emitter and cell are separated by posts with gaps, creating a modular structure that maintains nanoscale spacing while enabling larger overall device areas through replication and arrangement of multiple units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If large area gaps are used, then scalability is improved, but parasitic conduction losses increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice areaVSAvoidparasitic conduction losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Posts with controlled gaps serve as intermediary structures between the emitter and photovoltaic cell. These posts maintain the nanoscale separation needed for near-field heat transfer while their limited contact areas minimize parasitic conduction pathways. The gaps act as mediators that prevent direct thermal conduction while allowing radiative heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If large area devices are manufactured, then scalability is achieved, but nanofabrication complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice areaVSAvoidnanofabrication process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The posts and gaps are pre-formed during the fabrication process before final assembly. The emitter and photovoltaic cell are prepared with integrated post structures that define the nanoscale gaps, eliminating the need for complex post-assembly alignment and spacing procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The solution enables significant improvements in power generation, with near-field configurations demonstrating over an order of magnitude higher short circuit current and power output compared to far-field configurations, while reducing parasitic conduction losses and simplifying the fabrication process for larger devices.

Implementation Method 1

thermophotovoltaics, devices that convert near-IR radiation (between 0.7 μm and 2.5 μm) to mid-IR radiation (between >2.6 μm and 25 μm) into electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

At this distance, referred to as near-field, additional heat transfer pathways associated with photon tunneling become active between the emitter and the cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoton tunneling:

Data Source

PatentUS20240405715A1Nanogap thermophotovoltaics enabled by controlled deposition and etching

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 ALLIANCE FOR ENERGY INNOVATION LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) device that includes an emitter having a platform and a base, a block having a photovoltaic (PV) cell, and three posts, where the platform includes a first surface having a first surface area between 0.1 cm2 and 1,000 cm2, the PV cell includes a second surface having a second surface area between 0.1 cm2 and 1,000 cm2, the posts separate the first surface from the second surface by a space in the y-axis direction between 1 nm and 1,000 nm, each post is paired with a gap that separates the post from the platform, each gap is between 0.5 μm and 500 μm in the x-axis direction, and the TPV device is capable of converting at least one of near-infrared light or mid-infrared light to electricity.