2025 AIChE Annual Meeting

(83i) Thermal Photonics and Optoelectronics for Modular Energy Storage and Process Heat

Author

Andrej Lenert - Presenter, University of Michigan
The world of thermal photovoltaics or TPVs for short, which transform man-made heat sources into electricity, has been making strides recently, surpassing the efficiency of solar cells. In this talk, I will discuss the exciting developments and challenges in this area. The key players in TPVs are the cells, which absorb and convert infrared photons, and the hot thermal emitters, which radiate those photons. Ongoing research aims to design long-lasting thermal emitters capable of selectively emitting certain wavelengths --- a goal that, while ideal, remains elusive. On the other hand, advances in TPV cells have produced breakthrough performance. Thanks to innovative fabrication techniques and a better understanding of energy losses, cells are becoming more efficient. Some of the most promising designs have achieved an impressive 45% efficiency, using emitter materials commonly found in household gas furnaces. The benefits of these cutting-edge TPVs can extend well beyond the lab. By incorporating them with thermal energy storage, we could see environmentally friendly, ultra-low-cost solutions to storing electricity over many days.