Nanomaterial thermophotovoltaic system increases efficiency and portability of solar power

It's not a new idea to improve upon traditional solar cells by first converting light into heat, then reemitting the energy at specific wavelengths optimally tuned to the requirements of the solar cell, but this method has suffered from low efficiencies. However, new research at MIT using nanoscale materials finally shows how thermophotovoltaics could become competitive with their traditional cousins, and grant benefits such as storing solar energy in the form of heat to postpone conversion into electricity... Continue ReadingNanomaterial thermophotovoltaic system increases efficiency and portability of solar power