In TPX-POWER we investigate if reaching practical energy harvesting applications using thermophotonics is feasible with presently available and emerging technologies. To this end, we aim to demonstrate TPX power generation in an integrated device to validate its potential for next generation thermal energy harvesting at low-to-medium temperatures.
Correspondingly, TPX-Power has four main objectives:
- Direct demonstration of thermophotonic energy generation
- Establishing the efficiency and stability characteristics of III-V semiconductor devices at elevated temperatures
- Developing thermal insulators allowing strong optical coupling between the emitter and absorber
- Demonstrating a TPX heat engine prototype with a reasonable output power for a 100 – 200 °C heat source.