This research explores a new efficient approach for producing electricity from the abundant energy of the sun. A nantenna electromagnetic collector (NEC) has been designed, prototyped, and tested. Proof of concept has been validated. The NEC devices target mid-infrared wavelengths, where conventional photovoltaic (PV) solar cells are inefficient and where there is an abundance of solar energy. The initial concept of designing NEC was based on scaling of radio frequency antenna theory. This approach has proven unsuccessful by many due to not fully understanding and accounting for the optical behavior of materials in the THz region. Also, until recent years the nanofabrication methods were not available to fabricate the optical antenna elements. We have addressed and overcome both technology barriers. Several factors were critical in successful implementation of NEC including: 1) frequency-dependent modeling of antenna elements; 2) selection of materials with proper THz properties; and 3) novel manufacturing methods that enable economical large-scale manufacturing. The work represents an important step toward the ultimate realization of a low-cost device that will collect, as well as convert this radiation into electricity, which will lead to a wide spectrum, high conversion efficiency, and low-cost solution to complement conventional PVs.
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ASME 2008 2nd International Conference on Energy Sustainability collocated with the Heat Transfer, Fluids Engineering, and 3rd Energy Nanotechnology Conferences
August 10–14, 2008
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Advanced Energy Systems Division and Solar Energy Division
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4320-8
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Solar Nantenna Electromagnetic Collectors Available to Purchase
Dale K. Kotter,
Dale K. Kotter
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
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Steven D. Novack,
Steven D. Novack
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
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Patrick Pinhero
Patrick Pinhero
University of Missouri
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Dale K. Kotter
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
Steven D. Novack
Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
W. Dennis Slafer
MicroContinuum, Inc.
Patrick Pinhero
University of Missouri
Paper No:
ES2008-54016, pp. 409-415; 7 pages
Published Online:
June 22, 2009
Citation
Kotter, DK, Novack, SD, Slafer, WD, & Pinhero, P. "Solar Nantenna Electromagnetic Collectors." Proceedings of the ASME 2008 2nd International Conference on Energy Sustainability collocated with the Heat Transfer, Fluids Engineering, and 3rd Energy Nanotechnology Conferences. ASME 2008 2nd International Conference on Energy Sustainability, Volume 2. Jacksonville, Florida, USA. August 10–14, 2008. pp. 409-415. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/ES2008-54016
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