Energy

Thermophotovoltaic cells

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells convert the radiation from heat sources with a lower temperature than the sun. They could generate electricity from waste heat released during industrial steel or glass production, or during domestic hot water production.

Imec uses high-efficiency, low-bandgap Ge to develop highly efficient TPV cells that are stable under high fluxes of infrared radiation. Moreover, imec is researching technologies to reduce the TPV cell cost.