Scientists from the Far Eastern Federal University, the Institute of Automation and Control Processes of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Chinese research centres have created a device that generates electricity using the temperature difference. During the day, one part is heated by sunlight, and at night, the other part releases heat into the surrounding space. The development is based on a thermoelectric generator, in which the temperature difference between two sides generates an electric current.
The key feature of the device is the microstructured plates on both sides of the generator. The first one, made of silicon with an array of microcones, absorbs up to 95% of sunlight thanks to its anti‑reflective properties, which are inspired by the structure of a nocturnal butterfly’s eye. The second plate, made of silicon dioxide, provides passive cooling by allowing thermal radiation to escape into space. This maintains a temperature difference without active cooling.
The device was tested in different seasons. The best results were shown in summer, but the generation did not stop at night due to the cooling of one of the surfaces. As co‑author of the study Alexander Kuchmizhak noted, the development lays the foundation for scaling up thermoelectric devices with effective microstructured coatings. The technology is promising for small‑scale electronics and autonomous power supply systems.
