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Production Method Of Electrical Energy by Enhanced Thermal Electron Emission by the Use of Superior Semiconductors

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).

Call for proposal

FP7-ENERGY-2012-1-2STAGE
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Coordinator

CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE
Address
Piazzale Aldo Moro 7
00185 Roma
Italy

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Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Daniele Maria Trucchi (Dr.)
EU contribution
€ 778 783,25

Participants (7)

TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY
Israel
EU contribution
€ 469 768
Address
Ramat Aviv
69978 Tel Aviv

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Lea Pais (Ms.)
TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Israel
EU contribution
€ 472 642
Address
Senate Building Technion City
32000 Haifa

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Administrative Contact
Grosbart Klara (Dr.)
FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
Germany
EU contribution
€ 460 272
Address
Hansastrasse 27c
80686 Munchen

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Activity type
Research Organisations
Administrative Contact
Maximilian Steiert (Dr.)
Ionvac Process Srl
Italy
EU contribution
€ 317 760
Address
Viale Anchise 24 25
00040 Pomezia (Rm)

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Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Aniello Vitulano (Mr.)
EXERGY LTD
United Kingdom
EU contribution
€ 175 216
Address
Puma Way The Technocentre Coventry University Technology Park
CV1 2TT Coventry

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Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Centeno Fernando (Mr.)
SOLARIS PHOTONICS LTD
United Kingdom
EU contribution
€ 61 440
Address
Almond Avenue 23
UB7 9EL Westdrayton

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Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Arnaldo Galbiati (Dr.)
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
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Administrative Contact
Alvaro Pérez (Mr.)