Photonic Crystals to Control Light Radiation
A variety of silicon chip micro-reactors developed by the MIT team. Each of these contains photonic crystals on both flat faces, with external tubes for injecting fuel and air and ejecting waste products. Inside the chip, the fuel and air react to heat up the photonic crystals. In use, these reactors would have a photovoltaic cell mounted against each face, with a tiny gap between, to convert the emitted wavelengths of light to electricity. (Photo: Justin Knight)
Enabled by ISN basic research led by MIT Principal Research Scientist Dr. Ivan Celanovic, Prof. Marin Soljačić, and Prof. John Joannopoulos on the use of nanostructured photonic crystal geometries to modify the normal density of states of photons to create anomalous thermal emission at desired photovoltaic (PV) cell gap frequencies, combined with novel swirl-stabilized microcombustor technology and optimized photovoltaic cells, startup company Mesodyne’s efficient, portable thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy source — the LightCell— is a compact, multifuel, ultrahigh energy-density power generator.
Early designs predict a capability of yielding 1750 watt-hours per kilogram, providing 50 watts for 72 hours at a total weight (fuel and burner) of just 6 pounds. To provide the same power, conventional Li-ion batteries — with a much lower energy density of 200 Wh/kg — would weigh approximately 40 lbs.
With its remarkably low weight, high energy-density, and virtually no moving parts, the Mesodyne LightCell could be an ideal power solution for prolonged operations by systems in which weight is a critical factor, including autonomous robotic platforms, unmanned aerial systems, and remote monitoring stations, as well as for dismounted warfighters equipped for extended missions.
Work focused on prolonging the powered flight time of unmanned aerial vehicles is predicted to enable the extension of operations by as much as factor of ten.