Description
The Thermoradiative Diode (TRD) is a novel application of mid infrared semiconductors to generate power via radiative emission. Existing TRD research has established potential theoretical energy limits [MN1.1]for ideal TRD operation. Researchers have speculated on potential TRD applications covering the limitations of terrestrially mounted TRDs and their interaction with Earth’s atmosphere. Here we seek to explore the potential for non-terrestrial applications to generate power on satellites where TRDs are mounted on the back of conventional solar module wings. The TRD’s unique ability to generate power in eclipse makes it a potentially valuable source of power for earth orbit satellites who must otherwise typically rely on batteries during this part of their orbit. To do so, we combine both TRD power modelling [1] with satellite orbit thermodynamic modelling [2] to compare temperature and power generation potential across a range of orbits, including Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit. In addition, simulations observing the effect of differing bandgaps on power generated were also performed to observe the trends. Simulations took into consideration material emissivity and absorptivity, Earth albedo and the dynamically changing TRD field of view during orbit. The modelling trended that narrow bandgaps had lower maximum temperatures and higher maximum power. A reduction in radiative efficiency was found to lead to increased temperature and lower maximum power for the same bandgap. The trend for differing orbits indicated that as altitude increased, maximum power and temperature increased and plateaued at Medium Earth Orbit and above.
[1] M. P. Nielsen, A. Pusch, M. H. Sazzad, P. M. Pearce, P. J. Reece, and N. J. Ekins-Daukes, “Thermoradiative Power Conversion from HgCdTe Photodiodes and Their Current–Voltage Characteristics,” ACS Photonics, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 1535–1540, May 2022, doi: 10.1021/acsphotonics.2c00223.
[2] Princeton Satellite Systems, Spacecraft Control Toolbox. Princeton Satellite Systems. [Online]. Available: https://psatellite.com/products/
| I am the presenting author | Yes |
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