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In an unprecedented study, researchers from Stanford University have shown that the heat of the sun and the coldness of space can be collected simultaneously with a single device. The results suggest that solar and space energy collection systems can actually help each other function more efficiently.
While solar energy is the most popular form of renewable energy for heat production, space can serve as a renewable source for absorbing radiation and generating cold.
"It is widely recognized that the sun is a perfect source of warmth that nature offers to human beings on Earth," said first author of the study, Zhen Chen, a professor at Southeast University of China. "It is less commonly accepted that nature also provides human beings with outer space as a perfect heat sink."
Professor Chen's team has developed a device that combines radiative cooling with solar absorption technology. The device was built with a germanium solar absorber at the top of a radiative cooler with layers of silicon nitride, silicon and aluminum enclosed in vacuum.
Experts have demonstrated that the unit can produce 24 ° C solar heat and 29 ° C cooling. The solar absorber has been found to improve the performance of the radiative cooler by blocking the heat of the sun.
"On a roof, we imagine that a photovoltaic cell can provide electricity while the radiative cooler can cool the house during hot summer days," said Professor Chen.
According to Professor Chen, much research is still needed before this promising technology can be scaled up for commercial use. In any case, research shows that renewable energy has an even higher roof potential than was previously achieved.
"I think this technology could potentially revolutionize today's solar cell technology," said Professor Chen. "If our concept is demonstrated and scaled, the future solar cell will have two functions in one: electricity and cooling."
The study is published in the journal Joule.
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By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Editor
Image credit: Linda Cicero, Stanford News
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