Thermophotovoltaic conversion

In thermophotovoltaic batteries the heat emitted by the radionuclides is converted to electric energy by means of infrared-sensitive photoelements (e.g. Ge diodes), which must be cooled effectively because the efficiency decreases drastically as the temperature rises. With respect to high emitter temperatures, thermophotovoltaic conversion is of interest for power levels between about 10 W and 1 kW, but the efficiency is relatively low (up to about 5%). 

Thermophotovoltaic systems convert the radiant energy produced by fuel combustion directly into electricity. Snch systems can potentially attain high overall conversion efficiencies. Because they may use renewable as well as fossil fnels, they permit a smooth pathway for an environmentally benign method of electrical energy generation (Catalano, 1996). 

Thermophotovoltaic Cell - A device where sunlight concentrated onto a absorber heats it to a high temperature, and the thermal radiation emitted by the absorber is used as the energy source for a photovoltaic cell that is designed to maximize conversion efficiency at the wavelength of the thermal radiation. 

Passive or active power conversion devices can be used to convert the heat generated by the nuclear core into electricity. Passive systems, such as thermoelectric or thermophotovoltaic, are solid state and have no moving components. The lack of moving components can lead to high reliability, but these devices presently have thermal power conversion efficiencies less than 10%. Active systems convert thermal power first into shaft power and then into electrical power. Active systems typically have thermal... 

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