(Image credit: University of Rochester Photo/J. Adam Fenster)
Researchers working to improve solar power plants have discovered a technology that could increase their productivity by 15 times.
The innovation is based on the use of laser-modified “black metal” – a material that has been in development for five years. Scientists plan to integrate it into the design of solar thermoelectric generators (STEG).
STEG refers to solid-state devices that convert thermal energy into electricity via the Seebeck effect. This physical phenomenon occurs when a temperature gradient exists between materials, causing charged particles to move and an electromotive force to form.
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In the STEG design, the semiconductor material is placed between the heated and cooled zones. When heated by the sun or another source, electrons move, generating current.
A serious limitation of traditional solar thermal systems is their low efficiency – less than 1% of solar radiation is converted into electricity. For comparison, household photovoltaic panels demonstrate an efficiency of about 20%.
In a new study published August 12 in Light: Science and Applications, the scientists used laser-treated metals (called “black metal”) to boost the efficiency of STEGs by 15 times.
Laser modification
The technology involves treating tungsten with ultra-short laser pulses that form microscopic grooves. These nanostructures enhance the absorption and retention of thermal energy.
The laser treatment also gives the metal surface a deep black hue, improving heat absorption. The additional plastic coating creates a “micro greenhouse” that accumulates additional heat.
For the cooled part of the generator, aluminum was processed with a laser, creating a micro-surface with increased heat transfer. This structure is twice as efficient as standard radiators.
During testing, the modified STEG was able to power an LED at five times the intensity of solar radiation, while the regular version did not function even at ten times the amplification. This corresponds to a 15-fold increase in power.
Scientists noted that the technology will not replace large solar stations yet, but can be used in low-power IoT devices, wearable electronics or autonomous systems for remote regions.
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“Decades of research have focused on optimizing the semiconductors of STEGs with limited success,” said Chunlei Guo, co-author of the paper and a professor of optics and physics at the University of Rochester. “We improved the hot and cold zones of the device, achieving significant efficiency gains without changing the semiconductors themselves.”
Increased efficiency is achieved through a combination of improved heat absorption and optimal heat dissipation.
Owen Hughes
Owen Hughes is a freelance journalist and editor who specializes in technology. A former senior editor at ZDNET, he has more than a decade of experience covering AI, cybersecurity, supercomputing, and digital transformation, with a particular focus on how technology and society interact.
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