Exploitation of the Electric Contributions in Infrared Power Generation.

摘要

This project studies the basic processes involved in the interaction of infrared radiation with matter and, in this effort, establishes a method to harvest infrared radiation and transform it into usable energy. We have identified an electrical contribution to the energy transfer from the infrared radiation to the device we use to harvest it. This device behaves as a capacitor, and we found a way to triplicate the voltage generated by the device when exposed to the infrared radiation. This significant increase can be obtained by placing two devices in series and covering the surface of the device facing the infrared radiation to tape, which modifies the capacitance of the device. We plan on modeling the interaction of the infrared radiation with our device using the conjugated variable-based approach. We also plan on studying the current produced by the device to increase efficiency in power generation. We are also looking into other alternative device designs to fabricate nano- and macro-power generation device. Seven undergraduate students were involved in the research and the research inspired an approach to Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics related to the conjugated variable-based approach.