Thermophotovoltaic system converts high heat to narrow spectrum tailored to solar cell profile
Cross-sectional view of an operating solar thermophotovoltaic (STPV) device shows the glowing side of the absorber/emitter substrate. By using photonic crystals and controlling absorption and emission wavelengths, Andrej Lenert and colleagues at MIT were able to maximize heat to electric conversion and minimize energy loss. Image courtesy of the researchers.