Article
Chip-scale solar thermal electrical power generation

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrp.2022.100789Get rights and content
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open access

Highlights

  • Solar energy storage and conversion to electrical power generation is demonstrated

  • Continuous power output can be generated from the combined device

  • Photophysical properties of two photoswitches are fully characterized

  • A microelectromechanical ultrathin thermoelectric chip is designed and fabricated

Summary

There is an urgent need for alternative compact technologies that can derive and store energy from the sun, especially the large amount of solar heat that is not effectively used for power generation. Here, we report a combination of solution- and neat-film-based molecular solar thermal (MOST) systems, where solar energy can be stored as chemical energy and released as heat, with microfabricated thermoelectric generators to produce electricity when solar radiation is not available. The photophysical properties of two MOST couples are characterized both in liquid with a catalytical cycling setup and in a phase-interconvertible neat film. Their suitable photophysical properties let us combine them individually with a microelectromechanical ultrathin thermoelectric chip to use the stored solar energy for electrical power generation. The generator can produce, as a proof of concept, a power output of up to 0.1 nW (power output per unit volume up to 1.3 W m−3). Our results demonstrate that such a molecular thermal power generation system has a high potential to store and transfer solar power into electricity and is thus potentially independent of geographical restrictions.

Data and code availability

All of the data supporting the findings are presented within the article and supplemental information. All other data are available from the lead contact upon reasonable request.

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