Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Photoelectric Effect Induced by Blackbody Radiation: A Theoretical Analysis of a Potential Heat Energy Harvesting Mechanism

Version 1 : Received: 24 June 2022 / Approved: 27 June 2022 / Online: 27 June 2022 (10:58:00 CEST)

How to cite: D'Abramo, G. Photoelectric Effect Induced by Blackbody Radiation: A Theoretical Analysis of a Potential Heat Energy Harvesting Mechanism. Preprints 2022, 2022060363. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202206.0363.v1 D'Abramo, G. Photoelectric Effect Induced by Blackbody Radiation: A Theoretical Analysis of a Potential Heat Energy Harvesting Mechanism. Preprints 2022, 2022060363. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202206.0363.v1

Abstract

The photoelectric effect induced by blackbody radiation could be a mechanism to harvest ambient thermal energy at a uniform temperature. Here, I describe (without going too much into mathematical details) the theoretical model I developed starting from 2010 to study that phenomenon, and I summarize the results of the numerical simulations. Simulations tell us that the process must be there. Moreover, at least two experimental tests have been performed in the past years that seem to corroborate, although not definitely, the alleged functioning of the proposed mechanism. Unfortunately, at present, the obtainable power density is extremely low and inadequate for immediate practical applications.

Keywords

second law of thermodynamics; photoelectric effect; thermionic emission; thermo-charged capacitor

Subject

Physical Sciences, Thermodynamics

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