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Abstract: The
increasing costs of fossil fuels, both financial and environmental, has motivated many
to look into sustainable energy sources. Thermophotovoltaics (TPVs), specialized
photovoltaic cells focused on the infrared range, offer an opportunity to achieve both
primary energy capture, similar to traditional photovoltaics, as well as secondary
energy capture in the form of waste heat. ... read moreHowever, to become a feasible energy source,
TPV systems must become more efficient. One way to do this is through the development of
selective emitters tailored to the bandgap of the TPV diode in question. This thesis
proposes the use of metamaterial emitters as an engineerable, highly selective emitter
that can withstand the temperatures required to collect waste heat. Metamaterial devices
made of platinum and a dielectric such as alumina or silicon nitride were initially
designed and tested as perfect absorbers. High temperature robustness testing
demonstrates the device's ability to withstand the rigors of operating as a selective
emitter.
Thesis (M.S.)--Tufts University,
2015.
Submitted to the Dept. of Electrical
Engineering.
Advisor: Thomas
Vandervelde.
Committee: Fiorenzo Omenetto, and
Ronald Lasser.
Keywords: Electrical engineering, and
Nanoscience.read less
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