Objective The project aims to develop, validate and implement a novel solid-state conversion mechanism able to transform concentrated solar radiation into electric energy, at very high efficiency, with a direct conversion obtained by an enhanced electron emission from advanced semiconductor structures. Its application is in high-flux concentrating solar systems, characterized by presently mature optical technology, reduced request for active components, high cost-effectiveness.The energy conversion exploits the high radiation flux, provided by solar concentrators, by combining an efficient thermionic emission to an enhanced photo-electron emission from a cathode structure, obtained by tailoring the physical properties of advanced semiconductors able to work at temperatures as high as 1000 °C. The high operating temperatures are also connected to the possibility to exploit the residual thermal energy into electric energy by thermo-mechanical conversion.ProME3ThE2US2 will develop a proof-of-concept converter working under vacuum conditions, composed of an absorber able to employ the solar infrared (IR) radiation to provide a temperature increase, a semiconductor cathode properly deposited on it, and a work-function-matched anode, separated from the cathode by an inter-electrode spacing. The concept novelty bases on (1) use of both bandgap and over-bandgap energy to generate electrical current; (2) additional use of sub-bandgap IR radiation, with a spectral energy not able to excite photo-emitters, for augmenting the thermionic emission from cathode, (3) engineered semiconductors, able to emit electrons at lower temperatures than standard refractory metals; (4) experimentation of a hetero-structured cathode for emission enhancement by an internal field; (5) recovery of exhaust heat from the anode by thermo-mechanical conversion. It is estimated that the proposed technology could achieve a conversion efficiency of 45% if used under high-flux irradiation conditions (~1000 suns). Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringelectric energynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesmeteorologysolar radiationnatural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivityengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsenergy conversion Programme(s) FP7-ENERGY - Specific Programme "Cooperation": Energy Topic(s) ENERGY.2012.10.2.1 - Future Emerging Technologies Call for proposal FP7-ENERGY-2012-1-2STAGE See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CP - Collaborative project (generic) Coordinator CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE Address Piazzale aldo moro 7 00185 Roma Italy See on map Region Centro (IT) Lazio Roma Administrative Contact Daniele Maria Trucchi (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 778 783,25 Participants (7) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY Israel EU contribution € 469 768,00 Address Ramat aviv 69978 Tel aviv See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Lea Pais (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Israel EU contribution € 472 642,00 Address Senate building technion city 32000 Haifa See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Grosbart Klara (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV Germany EU contribution € 460 272,00 Address Hansastrasse 27c 80686 Munchen See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Administrative Contact Maximilian Steiert (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Ionvac Process Srl Italy EU contribution € 317 760,00 Address Viale anchise 24 25 00040 Pomezia (rm) See on map Region Centro (IT) Lazio Roma Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Aniello Vitulano (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EXERGY LTD United Kingdom EU contribution € 175 216,00 Address Puma way the technocentre coventry university technology park CV1 2TT Coventry See on map Region West Midlands (England) West Midlands Coventry Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Centeno Fernando (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window SOLARIS PHOTONICS LTD United Kingdom EU contribution € 61 440,00 Address Almond avenue 23 UB7 9EL Westdrayton See on map Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Arnaldo Galbiati (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window ABENGOA RESEARCH SL Participation ended Spain EU contribution € 241 677,23 Address Calle energia solar 1 - campus palmas altas sect sunp gu i parcela ze 3 41014 Sevilla See on map Region Sur Andalucía Sevilla Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Alvaro Pérez (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window
