Harnessing the Full Potential of the Sun

Researchers at MIT have developed a solar thermophotovoltaic device that experimentally demonstrates a three-fold increase in energy conversion efficiency. Their device builds upon solar thermophotovoltaic technologies, adding a nanophotonic absorber-emitter that is tuned for optimal collection of sunlight and thermal emission above the photovoltaic band gap. This work was conducted by Evelyn Wang, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and members of her research group in collaboration with the Solid State Solar Thermal Energy Conversion Center. The research was funded by the Department of Energy EFRC program.

[djmar]

It’s been 5 years from this video. How is it coming along?

[MyJigarpatel]

Concentrated Solar thermal power plan is best solution. We just need to cut structure and mirror cost.

[timothym]

Damn, I’ve wanted to go to MIT for a while now but, now I know I’ll never get in

[jerrybrault]

How a bout sending me a SAMPLE  so I could try it out here in the cold
 here in Quebec Canada  thanks

[alantorres]

Lmao this is what I normally think about. It’s so basic in my eyes I just don’t have a million dollar facility to test my theories

[RobertCastillo-bi]

IF DIAMONDS ARE MADE IN EXTREME HEAT THAN THE STRONGEST DIAMOND COULD REACH THE SUN AND CAPTURE A SAMPLE. BUT THAN IF WHAT A DIAMOND COULD REPAIR THE SUN FROM ITS OWN REFLECTION, WITH THE RIGHT SIZE DIAMONDPOSSIBLY SOME GOLD IT COULD BE THAT FROM DIAMONDS THAT DOES NOT EXCEED BEYOND ITS TEMPERATURE BUT ADAPTS TO ITS SUSTAIN ABILITY TO POSSIBLE FILL IN THE GAP ....

[renjia]

So basically mirrors heating up a thermal thingy to make heat energy

[donvandamnjohnsonlongfella]

How toxic are these inventions? After these cells wear out how toxic do they become for the earth?