THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATOR Meaning and
Definition
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A thermophotovoltaic generator is a device that utilizes the principles of thermophotovoltaics to convert thermal energy into electrical energy. It is a type of photovoltaic device that converts heat radiation emitted by a heated surface into electricity. The generator consists of three main components: a thermal source, a selective emitter, and a photovoltaic cell.
The thermal source provides the necessary heat energy, usually by burning a fuel or through other thermal means. The selective emitter, which is in close proximity to the thermal source, absorbs the radiation emitted by the heated surface and re-emits it as photons with specific wavelengths that can be readily absorbed by the photovoltaic cell. This allows for efficient energy conversion.
The photovoltaic cell is responsible for converting the absorbed photons into electrical energy. It typically consists of semiconductor materials, such as silicon, which utilize the photovoltaic effect to generate an electric current. The generated electricity can then be used for various applications, including powering electronic devices or supplementing conventional power systems.
Thermophotovoltaic generators offer advantages over traditional thermal energy conversion methods, such as higher energy conversion efficiency and the ability to operate in a wide range of temperatures. They also have potential applications in areas where waste heat or solar radiation is readily available, making them suitable for remote or off-grid power generation.
Common Misspellings for THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATOR
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Etymology of THERMOPHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATOR
The word "thermophotovoltaic generator" is a combination of several terms.
1. Thermophotovoltaic: This term is a compound of "thermo-" which comes from the Greek word "thermo" meaning "heat" and "photovoltaic" which is a combination of "photo" from the Greek word "phos" meaning "light" and "voltaic" derived from "volta", the surname of an Italian physicist Alessandro Volta who invented the electric battery. Therefore, "thermophotovoltaic" refers to a process that converts heat energy into light energy, and then into electrical energy using photons.
2. Generator: This term comes from the Latin word "generare", meaning "to beget" or "to create". A generator is a device that converts mechanical energy, such as heat or motion, into electrical energy.
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