Rectenna Solar Cells discusses antenna-coupled diode solar cells, an emerging technology that has the potential to provide ultra-high efficiency, low-cost solar energy conversion. This book will provide an overview of solar rectennas, and provide thorough descriptions of the two main components: the diode, and the optical antenna. The editors discuss the science, design, modeling, and manufacturing of the antennas coupled with the diodes. The book will provide concepts to understanding the challenges, fabrication technologies, and materials required to develop rectenna structures. Written by experts in their specialized fields.

There is a growing interest in recent years on developing solar cells and increasing their conversion efficiency. This interest was motivated by the demand on producing clean and inexpensive energy, where the current solar cell technology failed to fulfill the market demand due to its low efficiency obtained. Thus, an efficient alternative is highly required to overcome the drawbacks of current photovoltaic technologies. In this chapter, the concept and operation of solar rectennas will be introduced as an efficient energy-harvesting technology and as a better alternative to conventional solar cells. Nanoantennas are used for receiving solar radiation at both visible and infrared regions as AC electromagnetic signals. The received power is then passed to a nanodiode that acts as a rectifier to convert the power from AC to DC form. Nanoarrays are utilized often to increase the captured energy and decrease the number of rectifiers of the entire system. The biggest challenge is how to design an efficient nanoantenna integrated efficiently into a nanodiode in order to maximize the overall efficiency. State-of-the-art designs for nanoantennas and nanodiodes will be highlighted in this chapter mentioning the figure of merits used to compare between one design and another.

The Wireless Power Transfer concept is continuously and rapidly evolving and new challenges arise every day. As a result of these rapid changes, the need for up-to-date texts that address this growing field from an interdisciplinary perspective persists. This book, organized into ten chapters, presents interesting novel solutions in the exploitation of the near- and far-field techniques of wireless power transfer that will be used in the near future, as well as a bird's eye view of some aspects related to an emerging technological area that will change our lives and will change the paradigm of how we use electrical equipment. The book covers the theory and also the practical aspects of technology implementation in a way that is suitable for undergraduate and graduate-level students, as well as researchers and professional engineers.

Wearable electronics, wireless devices, and other mobile technologies have revealed a deficit and a necessity for innovative methods of gathering and utilizing power. Drawing on otherwise wasted sources of energy, such as solar, thermal, and biological, is an important part of discovering future energy solutions. Innovative Materials and Systems for Energy Harvesting Applications reports on some of the best tools and technologies available for powering humanity’s growing thirst for electronic devices, including piezoelectric, solar, thermoelectric, and electromagnetic energies. This book is a crucial reference source for academics, industry professionals, and scientists working toward the future of energy.

A clear, concise discussion of today’s hottest topics in climate change, including adapting to climate change and geo-engineering to mitigate the effects of change, Engineering Response to Climate Change, Second Edition takes on the tough questions of what to do and offers real solutions to the practical problems caused by radical changes in the Earth’s climate. From energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions reduction, to climate-altering technologies, this new edition explores the latest concerns such as acidification of the ocean, energy efficiency, transportation, space solar power, and future and emerging possibilities. The editors set the stage by discussing the separate issues of the emissions of radiatively important atmospheric constituents, energy demand, energy supply, agriculture, water resources, coastal hazards, adaption strategies, and geo-engineering. They explain the difference between the natural and human drivers of climate change and describe how humans have influenced the global climate during past decades. Each chapter concludes with discussion questions, calculations, and possible research topics. See What’s in the Second Edition: New conceptual tools and research necessary for problems associated with fossil fuels Cutting-edge topics such as adaption and geo-engineering The latest concerns such as acidification of the ocean, energy efficiency, transportation, and space solar power Solutions to problems caused by changes in the Earth’s climate So much has changed in the 15 years since the publication of the first edition, that this is, in effect, a completely new book. However, the general theme is the same: the climate energy problem has become largely an engineering problem. With this in mind, the book explores what engineers can do to prevent, mitigate, or adapt to climate change.