Molly Ayala
Electromagnetic radiation is all around us, from the sun's rays to the Wi-Fi signals in our homes. Converting this abundant energy source into electricity is an attractive prospect for scientists seeking to address the world's energy challenges. While solar cells have long been used to convert solar radiation into electricity, researchers are now exploring innovative ways to harness other forms of electromagnetic radiation for power generation. This includes experimental technologies that convert terahertz waves into direct current (DC) and the use of rectennas, which are receiving antennas that can convert electromagnetic waves into alternating current (AC) and then into DC electricity. Other methods such as piezoelectric energy harvesting and betavoltaics are also being explored, showcasing the diverse approaches to unlocking the potential of electromagnetic radiation as an energy source.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Conversion methods | Solar cells, photocells, piezoelectric sensors, rectennas, nanoantennas, laser or resonance systems, rectifiers |
| Materials | Graphene, boron nitride, silicon, copper, potassium-40 |
| Energy sources | Electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic radiation, solar radiation, radioactivity, beta particles, gamma decay, terahertz waves, Wi-Fi signals, ambient energy |
| Applications | Powering implants, cellphones, portable devices, wireless transmission systems, RFID cards, household electronics |
| Limitations | Low efficiency, difficulty in capturing certain types of radiation, ultracold temperatures required for some setups |
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What You'll Learn
- Solar cells convert radiation from the sun into electricity
- Piezoelectric sensors convert ship-wave energy into electricity
- Electromagnetic energy harvesters convert low-frequency vibrations into electricity
- Rectennas convert radio waves into electricity
- Terahertz waves can be converted into a direct current
Solar cells convert radiation from the sun into electricity
Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic (PV) cells, are the key component in converting solar radiation into electricity. Solar radiation, or sunlight, is a form of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. This radiation carries energy, which solar technologies capture and convert into usable electricity.
The process by which solar cells convert sunlight into electricity is known as the photovoltaic effect. When sunlight strikes a solar panel, photons interact with the panel's surface. If the photon's energy level is at or above the band gap of the PV semiconductor, it will be absorbed and stimulate the conductivity of the material. This process excites electrons in the silicon crystal, giving them enough energy to move freely and creating a flow of electrons.
The silicon wafer in the solar cell is specially designed with impurities that create an electric field. This electric field guides the movement of the electrons, ensuring they flow in a specific direction. The architecture of the solar cell, including the placement of the n-doped and p-doped layers, also influences the movement of electrons.
Metal gridlines, known as fingers and busbars, are embedded on the surface of the solar cell. These gridlines capture the electrical energy generated by the moving electrons. The fingers, being thin and perpendicular to the busbars, collect the electricity and direct it towards the busbars. The busbars, which are thicker, then transport the electrical energy towards an inverter.
The inverter plays a crucial role in converting the direct current (DC) electricity produced by the solar cells into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is more commonly used in homes and businesses. This AC electricity can then be used to power various devices and systems. Additionally, it can be stored in batteries for later use or integrated into existing electrical grids.
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Piezoelectric sensors convert ship-wave energy into electricity
Electromagnetic radiation can be converted into electricity in several ways. One common method is through the use of solar cells, which convert radiation from the sun into electricity. Similar technology can be used to harness energy from other sources of electromagnetic radiation. Another approach is direct conversion using nanoantennas or transferring energy to a receiver using laser or resonance systems.
Now, piezoelectric sensors are a promising solution for converting ship-wave energy into electricity. Piezoelectric sensors generate mechanical strain when an external force is applied, such as the force from waves. This mechanical energy is then converted into electrical energy through the movement of charges, creating an electric current.
The use of piezoelectric sensors for energy harvesting has gained attention due to its potential in various applications. In the context of ship-wave energy, piezoelectric sensors can be attached to coastal structures, where they can absorb the energy from waves and convert it into electricity. This approach has been explored in several studies, which propose attaching piezoelectric sensors to existing coastal structures to generate wave power while also acting as a wavebreaker.
One advantage of using piezoelectric sensors for wave power generation is their relatively low cost and ease of installation. Additionally, piezoelectric energy harvesting can be applied in various fields, including eco-friendly energy sources such as sun, wind, wave, and vibration.
The piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) has been specifically studied for its potential in collecting ocean wave energy and converting it into electrical energy. This technology can power microelectronic devices and support the development of self-powered ocean monitoring sensors, contributing to the Internet of Things (IoT).
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Electromagnetic energy harvesters convert low-frequency vibrations into electricity
Electromagnetic energy harvesters are a type of vibrational energy harvester that can capture kinetic energy in a low-frequency range. They are typically grouped into piezoelectric, electrostatic, and electromagnetic categories according to their working principles. Electromagnetic converters consist of a combination of magnets and coils. Under excitation, the magnetoelectric (ME) effect, defined by the coupling between magnetic and electric fields in matter, has drawn increasing interest in vibration energy harvesting. This is due to the high magnetoelectric coupling coefficient at ambient temperature.
The operating principle of electromagnetic energy harvesters is that vibration is first transformed into a change in the magnetic field via moving magnets. This change in the magnetic field then acts on a coil, generating electrical power. The maximum electrical power is extracted when the electrical damping is equal to the parasitic mechanical damping. Another factor that dictates an electromagnetic harvester’s potential usage is its resonance frequency.
In the inverse magnetostrictive method, the magnetization state of a magnetostrictive material is controlled by applying a bias magnetic field using permanent magnets. A strain is then applied to the material to generate a change in magnetic flux, which is converted into electric power using a coil. Electromagnetic harvesters have been designed to harvest power from pseudo-walking signals, such as those produced during human walking or running. These harvesters use a sprung eccentric rotor with an eccentric mass suspended by a torsional spring to enhance the mechanical energy captured from low-frequency excitations.
The design of electromagnetic energy harvesters using MEMS technology has also been proposed to harvest energy from low-frequency ambient vibrations of less than 100 Hz. This design consists of a cantilever, which is a simple MEMS structure that can be used to power amplifiers. These amplifiers can then amplify the low amplitude and low-frequency vibration signals, such as those induced by live loads like laden lorries and buses on bridges.
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Rectennas convert radio waves into electricity
Rectennas, a portmanteau of "rectifying" and "antenna", are receiving antennas that can convert electromagnetic waves into electricity. They were invented in 1964 and patented in 1969 by US electrical engineer William C. The invention of the rectifier, a device that converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), was key to the development of rectennas.
Rectennas can convert radio waves, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular signals, into electricity. They can be used to power wireless microelectronic devices such as RFID tags, proximity cards, and contactless smart cards. These devices contain a small rectenna element that powers up when it comes into proximity with an electronic reader unit, allowing it to transmit data back to the reader.
In 2019, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, led by Dr. Xu Zhang, developed a novel rectenna device that can charge electronics using energy from radio-frequency waves, including Wi-Fi signals. Their design features a flexible two-dimensional rectenna with a rectifier made from a molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) layer that is only 3 atoms thick. At this thickness, the MoS2 behaves as a switch, changing from a semiconductor to a metallic structure, which enables the capture of high-frequency Wi-Fi band radio waves.
The researchers envision their rectenna as a building block that can be integrated into flexible electronic systems, such as a distributed network of sensors for buildings and infrastructure. Additionally, rectennas could be used in medical devices, allowing implantable devices to transmit patient health data using constantly available radio waves.
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Terahertz waves can be converted into a direct current
Electromagnetic radiation can be converted into electricity in a variety of ways. One common method is the use of solar cells, which convert electromagnetic radiation from the sun into electricity. Another method is through the use of nanoantennas or laser or resonance systems.
Terahertz waves, which are high-frequency electromagnetic waves, can also be converted into a direct current. This is a recent development by physicists at MIT, who have designed a device that can convert these waves into a form of electricity that powers many household electronics. The key to this conversion lies in the quantum mechanical or atomic behaviour of graphene.
Graphene is a carbon material with unique properties at the atomic level. When combined with boron nitride, the electrons in graphene skew their motion towards a common direction. Incoming terahertz waves then shuttle these electrons, causing them to flow through the material in a single direction, creating a direct current. The stronger the incoming terahertz energy, the more energy can be converted into direct current.
This technology has exciting potential applications, such as powering implants in a patient's body without the need for surgical battery changes. Additionally, it could be used to harness the energy from terahertz waves, which are pervasive in our daily lives, as an alternative energy source. For example, a cellphone add-on could passively absorb ambient terahertz waves and use their energy to charge a phone.
While this technology holds great promise, it is still in the development stage, and there are challenges to implementing it in practical applications. For instance, some experimental technologies that convert terahertz waves into direct current require ultracold temperatures, which are not easily achievable in everyday use.
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Frequently asked questions
Electromagnetic waves are a type of wave that can transmit energy without the need for a medium. They are composed of electric and magnetic fields that oscillate perpendicular to each other as the wave moves through space.
Electromagnetic waves can be converted into electricity through the use of rectifiers, which are devices that convert electromagnetic waves from their oscillating (alternating) current to direct current. Rectennas, a type of receiving antenna, are another method of conversion, which can harvest electromagnetic radiation in the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular bands and convert the energy into alternating current (AC), which is then sent to a rectifier to be converted into direct current (DC) electricity.
Graphene has been found to be an ideal starting material for the conversion of electromagnetic waves into electricity due to its quantum mechanical properties. By combining graphene with another material, such as boron nitride, the electrons in graphene can be directed to flow in a common direction, allowing for the conversion of incoming electromagnetic waves into direct current.
Converting electromagnetic waves into electricity has a variety of potential applications, including powering implants, cellphones, and other portable devices. Additionally, it can be used for wireless energy transmission, as envisioned by Nikola Tesla, to power daily electronics such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular LTE.
