Major breakthrough as new technology generates solar energy at night

ABC News (Australia)

27 Sept 202402:07

Summary

TLDRScientists at the University of New South Wales have developed a groundbreaking technology that generates electricity from the heat emitted by warm surfaces, even at night. This innovation can transform how we harness solar power, extending its use beyond daylight hours. Currently, it can produce enough power to run a wristwatch, and while it's still in the experimental phase, the potential to power Wi-Fi at night or charge satellites in space is being explored. The team was recently recognized as a finalist at the Eureka science Awards.

Takeaways

🌞 Solar power technology is evolving to generate electricity even at night.
🏫 The University of New South Wales is pioneering this new technology.
🔬 Scientists have developed a device that harnesses the power of radiation from warm surfaces.
🌡️ The device can generate power from any surface that glows in an infrared camera.
🌑 The technology can currently power a wrist watch using body heat.
🔋 The current efficiency is about 100,000 times less than a solar panel.
🔭 The technology is in its early stages and has room for optimization.
🏠 Future applications could include powering Wi-Fi at night from rooftop installations.
🌌 The next phase of development aims to charge satellites in space using nighttime solar.
🏆 The team at UNSW was recognized as a finalist at the Eureka science Awards.
🚀 Plans are underway to have this technology on spacecraft and satellites in the next few years.

Q & A

What is the new technology mentioned in the transcript that can produce electricity at night?
-The new technology is a device that can harness the power of radiation off warm surfaces to generate electricity even after the sun has set.
Where is this technology currently located?
-The technology is located at the University of New South Wales.
How does the device work?
-The device uses a semiconductor to generate power from the infrared radiation emitted by warm surfaces.
What is an example of a small-scale application of this technology mentioned in the script?
-The technology could be used to power a wrist watch from the user's own body heat.
How efficient is this technology compared to solar panels?
-At the moment, the technology can generate around 100,000 times less power than a solar panel.
What was the purpose of the initial experimental demonstration of the technology?
-The purpose was to prove the concept and possibility of generating electricity from thermal radiation at night, rather than to reach maximum efficiency.
What is a potential future application for this technology mentioned in the script?
-One potential future application is to power Wi-Fi at night using the thermal radiation from rooftops.
Is there a plan to use this technology in space?
-Yes, the next phase of development is looking at how nighttime solar will charge satellites in space.
What recognition did the team at the University of New South Wales receive?
-The team was recognized as one of 55 finalists at the Eureka science Awards.
What are the next steps for the development of this technology?
-The next steps include optimizing the technology for use on spacecraft and satellites in the next couple of years.
What is the current limitation of the technology that needs to be addressed before it can be used terrestrially?
-The technology is still in its infancy and requires more optimizing to be useful for terrestrial applications.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Nighttime Solar Power Breakthrough

Scientists at the University of New South Wales have developed a revolutionary technology that can generate electricity from the heat radiated by warm surfaces, even after the sun has set. This breakthrough allows for the harnessing of thermal radiation to produce power, which was previously thought impossible. The device is in its early stages and currently produces about 100,000 times less electricity than a traditional solar panel. The technology has the potential to power small devices like a wrist watch using body heat. The researchers are optimistic about its future applications, including powering Wi-Fi at night and even charging satellites in space. The team's work has been recognized at the Eureka Science Awards, highlighting the significance of their discovery.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Solar Power

Solar power refers to the conversion of sunlight into electricity, typically using photovoltaic panels. In the context of the video, solar power is highlighted as a technology that traditionally operates during daylight hours. The script discusses an innovative development that extends the utility of solar power into the night, which is a significant advancement in renewable energy.

💡University of New South Wales

The University of New South Wales is an institution of higher learning in Australia. It is mentioned in the script as the location where the new technology for nighttime solar power was developed. The university's involvement signifies the academic and research-oriented nature of the project.

💡Infrared Camera

An infrared camera is a device that detects and measures radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is used in the script to illustrate how warm surfaces emit radiation that can be harnessed for power generation. The camera helps visualize the potential energy sources for the new technology.

💡Semiconductor Device

A semiconductor device is a physical object made from semiconductor materials, which can manipulate the flow of electrical current. In the video's narrative, the device is placed on warm surfaces to generate power from the emitted infrared radiation, demonstrating a novel application of semiconductor technology.

💡Thermal Radiation

Thermal radiation is the emission of infrared radiation from objects due to their temperature. The script explains that this technology can harness the power of thermal radiation from warm surfaces, even after the sun has set, which is a key concept in the development of nighttime solar power.

💡Wrist Watch

A wrist watch is a timepiece worn around the wrist. The script uses the wrist watch as an example of a device that could be powered by the body heat of the wearer, illustrating the potential practical applications of the technology to harness energy from heat.

💡Eureka Science Awards

The Eureka Science Awards are a recognition program that celebrates outstanding achievement in scientific research. The script mentions that the team at the University of New South Wales was a finalist, indicating the significance and innovation of their work in developing nighttime solar power technology.

💡Satellites

Satellites are artificial objects launched into space for various purposes, such as communication or observation. The script suggests that the next phase of development for this technology is to charge satellites in space, indicating a potential space application and the scalability of the technology.

💡Optimizing

Optimizing refers to the process of making something as effective, efficient, or functional as possible. In the context of the script, optimizing is mentioned as a necessary step before the technology can be used terrestrially, indicating ongoing development to improve its efficiency and practicality.

💡Spacecraft

A spacecraft is a vehicle or machine designed for space travel. The script mentions the ambition to get the technology on a spacecraft, which implies the potential for this technology to be used in space exploration and satellite power supply.

💡Terrestrial

Terrestrial refers to anything related to the Earth's surface rather than space. The script mentions the potential future use of the technology on Earth (terrestrially), suggesting that while the current focus is on space applications, there are also plans for Earth-based uses.

Highlights

Solar power technology is evolving to generate electricity beyond daytime hours.

A new device at the University of New South Wales can produce electricity even after the sun has set.

Scientists have harnessed the power of radiation off warm surfaces.

Infrared cameras can detect glowing surfaces that can be used to generate power.

The technology can power devices such as a wrist watch using body heat.

The technology is in its early stages, generating significantly less power than solar panels.

The experimental demonstration aimed to prove the concept rather than achieve maximum efficiency.

The technology could potentially power Wi-Fi at night from thermal radiation.

Thermal imaging cameras reveal the amount of radiation available at night.

The next phase of development focuses on charging satellites in space with nighttime solar.

Optimization is needed before the technology can be useful for terrestrial applications.

The team aims to have the technology on a spacecraft or satellite within the next few years.

The University of New South Wales team was recognized as one of the finalists at the Eureka Science Awards.

The technology marks the first time anyone has proven the possibility of generating power from thermal radiation.

The device uses semiconductor technology to convert thermal radiation into electricity.

The potential applications of this technology extend beyond powering small devices to larger-scale uses like satellites.

The efficiency of the technology is expected to improve as it moves from experimental to practical applications.