Researchers at the University of New South Wales have developed a new technology that can generate electricity from solar energy at night using a special semiconductor. The device captures Earth’s infrared light and converts it into electricity, harnessing radiant heat to produce power even in the absence of sunlight.
The breakthrough is based on thermoradiative power generation, which takes advantage of the temperature difference between the Earth’s surface and space. The new technology uses a semiconductor material similar to those found in night-vision goggles to capture this energy and generate electricity.
While the efficiency of the device is currently low, the researchers are optimistic about future improvements. They anticipate that this technology will have wide applications, including powering devices with body heat and generating power for satellites in space.
The team plans to assess the usability of the device in space within the next two years, paving the way for a future where renewable energy is available 24/7. This breakthrough could lead to homes being powered even when the sun is down, using only the Earth’s radiant heat.
Source: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/solar-power-generated-at-night-device