Title :
A thermophotovoltaic micro-generator for portable power applications
Author :
Nielsen, O.M. ; Arana, L.R. ; Baertsch, C.D. ; Jensen, K.F. ; Schmidt, M.A.
Abstract :
We report a MEMS based thermophotovoltaic micro-generator that has been successfully operated with positive net electrical power output. The key components of the system are the suspended-tube micro-reactor (S/spl mu/RE) that serves as an emitter, and a gallium-antimonide photocell that converts the emitted radiation into electricity. Net electrical power of 1.0 mW was produced with the emitter heated to /spl sim/770/spl deg/C by the combustion of propane and air in the reactor. The overall system efficiency was 0.08%. This is a promising technology for portable power systems to replace batteries in certain applications.
Keywords :
III-V semiconductors; gallium compounds; micromechanical devices; thermophotovoltaic cells; 1.0 mW; 770 degC; GaN; MEMS; batteries; electrical power; electrical power output; electricity; gallium-antimonide photocell; portable power applications; power systems; radiation emission; suspended-tube microreactor; system efficiency; thermophotovoltaic microgenerator; Application software; Batteries; Chemical technology; Combustion; Energy conversion; Inductors; Photovoltaic cells; Power generation; Solar power generation; Waste heat;
Conference_Titel :
TRANSDUCERS, Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems, 12th International Conference on, 2003
Conference_Location :
Boston, MA, USA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7731-1
DOI :
10.1109/SENSOR.2003.1215573
