Solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs), which are used for various applications, (particularly small size electronic devices), have optical concentration systems for high energy conversion efficiency. In this study, a refraction-assisted STEG (R-STEG) is designed based on phase-change materials. As the phase-change material (PCM) changes phase from solid to liquid, its refractive index and transmittance also change, resulting in changes in the refraction of the sunlight transmitted through it, and concentration of solar energy in the phase-change lens. This innovative design facilitates double focusing the solar energy through the optical lens and a phase-change lens. This mechanism resulted in the peak energy conversion efficiencies of the R-STEG being 60% and 86% higher than those of the typical STEG at solar intensities of 1 kW m−2 and 1.5 kW m−2, respectively. In addition, the energy stored in PCM can help to generate steady electrical energy when the solar energy was removed. This work presents significant progress regarding the optical characteristic of PCM and optical concentration systems of STEGs.
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机译:用于各种应用(尤其是小型电子设备)的太阳能热电发电机(STEG)具有用于高能量转换效率的光学聚光系统。在这项研究中,基于相变材料设计了折射辅助STEG(R-STEG)。当相变材料(PCM)从固态变为液态时,其折射率和透射率也会发生变化,从而导致透射过它的阳光的折射发生变化,并且太阳能在相变透镜中的聚集也随之改变。这种创新的设计有助于通过光学透镜和相变透镜将太阳能双重聚焦。这种机制导致在太阳能强度为1 kW m -2 sup>和1.5 kW m 时,R-STEG的峰值能量转换效率比典型的STEG分别高60%和86%。 -2 sup>。此外,存储在PCM中的能量可以在去除太阳能后帮助产生稳定的电能。这项工作提出了关于PCM的光学特性和STEG的光学聚光系统的重大进展。
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