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At least 19 records

Radiant energy to electric energy converter

Radiant energy is converted into electric energy by irradiating a capacitor including an ionic dielectric. The dielectric is a sintered crystal superionic conductor, e.g., lanthanum trifluoride, lanthanum trichloride, or silver bromide, so that a multiplicity of crystallites exist between electrodes of the capacitor. The radiant energy cyclically irradiates the dielectric so that the dielectric exhibits a cyclic photocapacitive like effect. Adjacent crystallites have abutting surfaces that enable the crystallites to effectively form a multiplicity of series capacitor elements between the electrodes. Each of the capacitor elements has a dipole layer only on or near its surface. The capacitor is initially charged to a voltage just below the dielectric breakdown voltage by connecting it across a DC source causing a current to flow through a charging resistor to the dielectric. The device can be utilized as a radiant energy detector or as a solar energy cell.

Sher, Arden

Status of photoelectrochemical production of hydrogen and electrical energy

The efficiency for conversion of electromagnetic energy to chemical and electrical energy utilizing semiconductor single crystals as photoanodes in electrochemical cells was investigated. Efficiencies as high as 20 percent were achieved for the conversion of 330 nm radiation to chemical energy in the form of hydrogen by the photoelectrolysis of water in a SrTiO3 based cell. The SrTiO3 photoanodes were shown to be stable in 9.5 M NaOH solutions for periods up to 48 hours. Efficiencies of 9 percent were measured for the conversion of broadband visible radiation to hydrogen using n-type GaAs crystals as photoanodes. Crystals of GaAs coated with 500 nm of gold, silver, or tin for surface passivation show no significant change in efficiency. By suppressing the production of hydrogen in a CdSe-based photogalvanic cell, an efficiency of 9 percent was obtained in conversion of 633 nm light to electrical energy. A CdS-based photogalvanic cell produced a conversion efficiency of 5 percent for 500 nm radiation.

Byvik, C. E.

Measurements of energy distribution and thrust for microwave plasma coupling of electrical energy to hydrogen for propulsion

A microwave plasma system for transfer of electrical energy to hydrogen flowing through the system has potential application for coupling energy to a flowing gas in the electrothermal propulsion concept. Experimental systems have been designed and built for determination of the energy inputs and outputs and thrust for the microwave coupling of energy to hydrogen. Results for experiments with pressure in the range 100 microns-6 torr, hydrogen flow rate up to 1000 micronmoles/s, and total absorbed power to 700 w are presented.

Morin, T.

Visible light to electrical energy conversion using photoelectrochemical cells

Sustained conversion of low energy visible or near i.r. light (>1.25 eV) to electrical energy has been obtained using wet photoelectrochemical cells where there are no net chemical changes in the system. Stabilization of n-type semi-conductor anodes of CdS, CdSe, CdTe, GaP, GaAs and InP to photoanodic dissolution is achieved by employing selected alkaline solutions of Na.sub.2 S, Na.sub.2 S/S, Na.sub.2 Se, Na.sub.2 Se/Se, Na.sub.2 Te and Na.sub.2 Te/Te as the electrolyte. The oxidation of (poly) sulfide, (poly)selenide or (poly)telluride species occurs at the irradiated anode, and reduction of polysulfide, polyselenide or polytelluride species occurs at the dark Pt cathode of the photoelectrochemical cell. Optical to electrical energy conversion efficiencies approaching 15% at selected frequencies have been observed in some cells. The wavelength for the onset of photocurrent corresponds to the band gap of the particular anode material used in the cell.

Wrighton, Mark S.

Regional thermal and electric energy output of salt-gradient solar ponds in the U.S.

Salt-gradient solar pond thermal and electrical energy output was calculated for each of twelve regions within the United States as part of an effort to assess solar pond applicability and extent of requisite physical resources on a regional basis. The energy output level is one of the key factors affecting the economic feasibility of solar ponds. Calculated thermal energy output ranges from 6.9 Wt/sq m in Fairbanks, Alaska, to 73.1 Wt/sq m in Daggett, California, at an energy extraction temperature of 45 C. The output ranges from 0.0 Wt/sq m in Fairbanks to 63.2 Wt/sq m in Daggett at 60 C. Electrical energy output ranges from 0.0 We/sq m in Fairbanks to 3.11 We/sq m in Daggett. Although these estimates constitute a reasonable basis for regional comparison, site-specific analysis must be performed for an actual application design.

Singer, M. J.

Preliminary comparative assessment of land use for the Satellite Power System (SPS) and alternative electric energy technologies

A preliminary comparative assessment of land use for the satellite power system (SPS), other solar technologies, and alternative electric energy technologies was conducted. The alternative technologies are coal gasification/combined-cycle, coal fluidized-bed combustion (FBC), light water reactor (LWR), liquid metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR), terrestrial photovoltaics (TPV), solar thermal electric (STE), and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). The major issues of a land use assessment are the quantity, purpose, duration, location, and costs of the required land use. The phased methodology described treats the first four issues, but not the costs. Several past efforts are comparative or single technology assessment are reviewed briefly. The current state of knowledge about land use is described for each technology. Conclusions are drawn regarding deficiencies in the data on comparative land use and needs for further research.

Newsom, D. E.

Electrical Energy Storage Design Space Exploration for a Hybrid-Electric Six Passenger Quadrotor

Hybrid-electric architectures are a promising means to achieve clean and efficient aircraft propulsion needed for small, short-range electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) class vehicles. This paper explores the design space for a six-passenger quadrotor hybrid-electric propulsion system and shows that hybrid architectures that are more efficient than engine-only architectures can be built with near-term battery technology (~150 Wh/kg at the pack level). Data obtained shows that hybrid-electric propulsion systems can achieve 28 percent block fuel reduction and 27 percent total energy cost savings over a 120 nautical mile (nmi) mission compared to conventional turboshaft architectures. This work suggests that hybrids are likely the most efficient architectures that can be produced in the near term for this class of vehicle and motivates further development in this area.

Hybrid-electric

High efficiency thermal to electric energy conversion using selective emitters and spectrally tuned solar cells

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems are attractive possibilities for direct thermal-to-electric energy conversion, but have typically required the use of black body radiators operating at high temperatures. Recent advances in both the understanding and performance of solid rare-earth oxide selective emitters make possible the use of TPV at temperatures as low as 1500 K. Depending on the nature of parasitic losses, overall thermal-to-electric conversion efficiencies greater than 20 percent are feasible.

Chubb, Donald L.

High efficiency direct thermal to electric energy conversion from radioisotope decay using selective emitters and spectrally tuned solar cells

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems are attractive possibilities for direct thermal-to-electric energy conversion, but have typically required the use of black body radiators operating at high temperatures. Recent advances in both the understanding and performance of solid rare-earth oxide selective emitters make possible the use of TPV at temperatures as low as 1200K. Both selective emitter and filter system TPV systems are feasible. However, requirements on the filter system are severe in order to attain high efficiency. A thin-film of a rare-earth oxide is one method for producing an efficient, rugged selective emitter. An efficiency of 0.14 and power density of 9.2 W/KG at 1200K is calculated for a hypothetical thin-film neodymia (Nd2O3) selective emitter TPV system that uses radioisotope decay as the thermal energy source.

Chubb, Donald L.

Future trends in electrical energy generation economics in the United States

Developments related to the economics of coal-fired systems in the U.S. are mainly considered. The historical background of the U.S. electric generation industry is examined and the U.S. electrical generation characteristics in the year 1975 are considered. It is pointed out that coal-fired power plants are presently the largest source of electrical energy generation in the U.S. Questions concerning the availability and quality of coal are investigated. Currently there are plans for converting some 50 large oil and gas-fired generating plants to coal, and it is expected that coal will be the fuel used in almost all fossil-fired base load additions to generating capacity. Aspects of advanced energy conversion from coal are discussed, taking into account the performance and economic potential of the energy conversion systems.

Schmitt, R. W.

Electrical Energy Storage Design Space Exploration for a Hybrid-Electric Six-Passenger Quadrotor

Hybrid-electric architectures are a promising means to achieve clean and efficient aircraft propulsion needed for small, short-range electric vertical takeoff and landing class vehicles. This paper explores the design space for a six-passenger quadrotor hybrid-electric propulsion system and shows that hybrid architectures that are more efficient than engine-only architectures can be built with near-term battery technology (approximately 150 Wh/kg at the pack level). Data obtained shows that hybrid-electric propulsion systems can achieve 37 percent block fuel reduction and 35 percent total energy cost savings over a 120 nautical mile mission compared to conventional turboshaft architectures. This work suggests that hybrids are likely the most efficient architectures that can be produced in the near term for this class of vehicle and motivates further development in this area.

parallel hybrid electric aircraft

Middle atmosphere electrical energy coupling

The middle atmosphere (MA) has long been known as an absorber of radio waves, and as a region of nonlinear interactions among waves. The region of highest transverse conductivity near the top of the MA provides a common return for global thunderstorm, auroral Birkeland, and ionospheric dynamo currents, with possibilities for coupling among them. Their associated fields and other transverse fields map to lower altitudes depending on scale size. Evidence now exists for motion-driven aerosol generators, and for charge trapped at the base of magnetic field lines, both capable of producing large MA electric fields. Ionospheric Maxwell currents (curl H) parallel to the magnetic field appear to map to lower altitudes, with rapidly time-varying components appearing as displacement currents in the stratosphere. Lightning couples a (primarily ELF and ULF) current transient to the ionosphere and magnetosphere whose wave shape is largely dependent on the MA conductivity profile. Electrical energy is of direct significance mainly in the upper MA, but electrodynamic transport of minor constituents such as smoke particles or CN may be important at other altitudes.

Hale, L. C.

Conversion of visible light to electrical energy - Stable cadmium selenide photoelectrodes in aqueous electrolytes

Stabilization of n-type CdSe to photoanodic dissolution is reported. The stabilization is accomplished by the competitive oxidation of S(--) or S(n)(--) at the CdSe photoanode in an electrochemical cell. Such stabilized cells are shown to sustain the conversion of low energy (not less than 1.7 eV) visible light to electricity with good efficiency and no deterioration of the CdSe photoelectrode or of the electrolyte. The electrolyte undergoes no net chemical change because the oxidation occurring at the photoelectrode is reversed at the cathode. Conversion of monochromatic light at 633 nm to electricity is shown to be up to approximately 9% efficient with output potentials of approximately 0.4 V. Conversion of solar energy to electricity is estimated to be approximately 2% efficient.

Wrighton, M. S.

Electric energy demand and supply prospects for California

A recent history of electricity forecasting in California is given. Dealing with forecasts and regulatory uncertainty is discussed. Graphs are presented for: (1) Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Pacific Gas and Electric present and projected reserve margins; (2) California electricity peak demand forecast; and (3) California electricity production.

Jones, H. G. M.