Environmental Hydrocarbon Harvesting for Micro-Scale Power Sources using Thermopower Waves.

摘要

Over the past five years of this grant, we have systematically built the theoretical and experimental underpinnings of a new field in energy research. We experimentally demonstrated the thermopower wave phenomenon, outlining the synthesis and measurement techniques to quantify the energy balance. We also singularly pioneered the theory of these waves, focusing separately on the thermal wave propagation and the resulting concomitant carrier wave generating the electrical power pulse. We have synthesized nitrobenzene functionalized carbon nanotube fibers as thermopower wave generators. We have also theoretically predicted, and experimentally demonstrated, oscillations in voltage from the non-linearity of such waves. We have extended this field to higher efficiency fuels and system configurations. Progress towards energy harvesting from fugitive emissions has been made, with breakthroughs in catalysis and have enabled the extension of thermopower waves to liquid fuels for the first time.