NEW TECHNOLOGY HARVESTING NIGHT-TIME ENERGY FROM INFRARED RADIATION

In the field of renewable energy, a groundbreaking technology has been successfully developed by the University of New South Wales (Australia). With the potential to generate energy from infrared radiation at night, this innovation promises a major leap forward in enabling 24/7 electricity production, even without sunlight.

Energy Harvesting from Infrared Radiation:

By utilizing a thermoradiative diode—a specialized semiconductor component—this device can capture infrared radiation emitted by the Earth at night and convert it into electricity. This principle is based on the temperature difference between the Earth's surface and the cold surrounding space. The technology operates similarly to how solar panels absorb sunlight to generate electricity during the day.

Thermoradiative diode: harvesting solar energy "at night"
(Image: Reproduction/UNSW)

Human Body Energy Captured by Thermal Cameras
(Image: Reproduction/UNSW)

Thermoradiative Diode – "The Night-Time Energy Source":

With the development of the thermoradiative diode, infrared radiation becomes a potential source of electricity. The materials used to create this diode share characteristics with night-vision technology, enabling it to operate stably and efficiently even in low-light conditions. This technology offers a viable solution for areas with insufficient lighting and represents a crucial advancement for devices that cannot access continuous power sources.

Potential Applications:

Although the current efficiency of this technology is lower than that of traditional solar panel systems, the research team at UNSW believes that with further improvements, thermoradiative diodes could be widely applied. On a large scale, they could provide stable energy for satellites, spacecraft, or even harness heat from the human body. In the near future, this technology could support satellites in low Earth orbit—devices that must operate in prolonged darkness—helping save and maintain energy throughout their missions.

This technology opens a new chapter for the renewable energy sector. If successful, utilizing energy from thermal radiation could become a sustainable solution, providing continuous energy regardless of the time of day. This presents a significant opportunity for the energy industry, including Vietnam, to access and apply this technology early to optimize energy efficiency and protect the environment.

"In the future, this incredible technology could harvest energy from our bodies, eliminating the need for batteries in certain electronic devices. Our advancements show that it is currently possible to produce about one-tenth of the electricity required to power a mobile phone," said Ned Ekins-Daukes.

- According to Interesting Engineering

VIETNGA ENERGY
Savings - Efficiency - Sustainability

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