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.

Photovoltaic systems enable the sun’s energy to be converted directly into electricity using semiconductor solar cells. The ultimate goal of photovoltaic research and development is to reduce the cost of solar power to reach or even become lower than the cost of electricity generated from fossil and nuclear fuels. The power conversion efficiency and the cost per unit area of the phototvoltaic system are critical factors that determine the cost of photovoltaic electricity. Until recently, the power conversion efficiency of single-junction photovoltaic cells has been limited to approximately 33% - the so-called Shockley-Queisser limit. This book presents the latest developments in photovoltaics which seek to either reach or surpass the Shockley-Queisser limit, and to lower the cell cost per unit area. Progress toward this ultimate goal is presented for the three generations of photovoltaic cells: the 1st generation based on crystalline silicon semiconductors; the 2nd generation based on thin film silicon, compound semiconductors, amorphous silicon, and various mesoscopic structures; and the 3rd generation based on the unique properties of nanoscale materials, new inorganic and organic photoconversion materials, highly efficient multi-junction cells with low cost solar concentration, and novel photovoltaic processes. The extent to which photovoltaic materials and processes can meet the expectations of efficient and cost effective solar energy conversion to electricity is discussed. Written by an international team of expert contributors, and with researchers in academia, national research laboratories, and industry in mind, this book is a comprehensive guide to recent progress in photovoltaics and essential for any library or laboratory in the field.

During energy crisis at the end of the Sixties, a new idea to exploit solar energy arose: Solar Power Satellites. These satellites need a huge surface to collect enough solar energy to be beamed on Earth by means of a microwave power transfer system. Different concepts appeared during last forty years and a lot of studies addressing the SPS economical feasibility have been published. In this work a particular concept is considered, the JAXA Reference Concept 2003. It is a formation flying SPS, composed by two reflectors and a central array panel. The objective of the work is to study two major problems this concept presents. Due to its dimensions, the satellite orbit will suffer from important orbital perturbations and since formation flying satellites need a tight orbit control, the first task is to derive an analytical approximation to perform relative perturbed orbit propagation for formation flying satellite. This objective is pursued starting from a H. Schaub’s formulation in which formation flying satellites unperturbed orbit is described by means of an approximated relation function of orbital element differences. This formulation is merged with another approach, developed in a previous work, which gives, analytically, orbital parameters variation when a perturbation acts on the spacecraft. The result is a very interesting algorithm, able to perform the assigned task with a relative error lower than 3% over one simulated orbit. The second objective concerns structural control. It is not possible to consider these huge satellites as rigid bodies, first natural frequencies will be certainly excited during operations. So that, the second task is the study of actuator placement optimization for flexible satellites, very useful for tight pointing requirements. A FEM model is developed modeling the SPS as a frame of beams and a global controllability index is obtained combining modal controllability and component cost analysis. The maximization of this parameter,

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.

What Is Optical Rectenna A rectenna that functions with either visible or infrared light is referred to as an optical rectenna. The transformation of electromagnetic waves into direct current electricity is accomplished using a rectenna, which is a circuit that consists of both an antenna and a diode. An optical rectenna would function in the same manner as a radio or microwave rectenna, but it would convert infrared or visible light into electricity instead of radio waves or microwaves. Rectennas have been in use for a long time. How You Will Benefit (I) Insights, and validations about the following topics: Chapter 1: Optical rectenna Chapter 2: Photodiode Chapter 3: Band gap Chapter 4: Gallium arsenide Chapter 5: Rectenna Chapter 6: Wide-bandgap semiconductor Chapter 7: Indium phosphide Chapter 8: Photodetector Chapter 9: Photovoltaic effect Chapter 10: Thermophotovoltaic Chapter 11: Hybrid solar cell Chapter 12: Third-generation photovoltaic cell Chapter 13: Multi-junction solar cell Chapter 14: Carbon nanotubes in photovoltaics Chapter 15: Organic solar cell Chapter 16: Solid Chapter 17: Shockley-Queisser limit Chapter 18: Transparent conducting film Chapter 19: Plasmonic solar cell Chapter 20: Solar cell research Chapter 21: Sun-free photovoltaics (II) Answering the public top questions about optical rectenna. (III) Real world examples for the usage of optical rectenna in many fields. (IV) 17 appendices to explain, briefly, 266 emerging technologies in each industry to have 360-degree full understanding of optical rectenna' technologies. Who This Book Is For Professionals, undergraduate and graduate students, enthusiasts, hobbyists, and those who want to go beyond basic knowledge or information for any kind of optical rectenna.