Polyangular specular mini-structure for focused, solar-energy supplied battery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar energy systems face inefficiencies due to temperature variations, high costs, and limited energy conversion outside optimal sunny conditions, as well as high conversion costs from sunlight to electrical energy.
Innovation Solution
A polyangular specular mini-structure comprising facets made of materials like quartz, silica sand, tungsten trioxide, silicon carbide, and single crystal silicon, which focuses sunlight and generates electricity through ion emissions stimulated by an electric current, with AI-controlled timing and duration to optimize energy production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional photovoltaic systems are used, then solar energy can be converted to electricity, but the conversion efficiency drops steeply outside the optimal temperature range of 23-28°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from temperature-dependent photovoltaic conversion to light-intensity-dependent photoelectric emission. The photoelectric effect-based system converts solar radiation directly to electrical energy without being constrained by thermal equilibrium requirements, thereby eliminating the 23-28°C optimal temperature window limitation and enabling reliable operation across extreme temperature ranges.
2Power
If silicon carbide solar cells are used, then energy conversion can be achieved, but the manufacturing cost is relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive silicon carbide photovoltaic materials with inexpensive photoelectric emission materials such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, or their compounds coated on conductive substrates. These photoelectric materials can be applied as thin films through conventional coating techniques, dramatically reducing material costs while maintaining effective solar energy conversion capability.
3Productivity
If direct sunlight conversion is optimized, then energy conversion efficiency is maximized, but the cost of conversion remains relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/thermal photovoltaic conversion process with an optical-electrical photoelectric emission process. Instead of using silicon carbide structures that require precise manufacturing and thermal management, the system uses photoelectric materials that directly emit electrons when exposed to sunlight, simplifying the conversion mechanism and reducing both manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining high conversion efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If solar energy systems operate outside optimal sunny conditions, then they can provide limited energy, but the efficiency and operability drop significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal solar energy conversion system based on photoelectric emission that functions effectively across diverse lighting conditions. The photoelectric effect responds linearly to incident light intensity regardless of temperature, enabling the system to maintain reliable operability whether in direct sunlight, diffuse light, or partial shade conditions, unlike temperature-constrained photovoltaic systems that fail outside their optimal thermal window.
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 mini-structure achieves efficient energy conversion across varying light conditions, reducing temperature sensitivity and costs, with scalable power generation from 10 kW to 300 kW, and can be used in batteries for vehicles, homes, and electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the facets comprise a sufficient amount of tungsten trioxide to cause ion emission in response to stimulation of the tungsten trioxide with a stimulation current of electricity
Implementation Method 2
the inner surfaces of the facets comprise specular surfaces... focused sunlight enters the hollow interior of the faceted sphere and is reflected multiple times by the interiorly-oriented specular facets
Data Source
AI summary
A polyangular, specular, mini-structure comprises a faceted, hollow sphere, with an aperture and focusing lens within such aperture permitting sunlight to enter the interior of such faceted sphere. The facets are hexagonal and their inner surfaces are specular such that light entering the sphere is reflected multiple times. The faceted surfaces include silicon carbide or tungsten trioxide responsive to a stimulation current. The faceted surfaces may also comprise nickel manganese cobalt oxides and the interaction of such nickel manganese cobalt oxides with the reflected sunlight produces electric potential suitable for powering devices, installations, and electric vehicles, in the manner of a battery.