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Laser-etched black metal gives obscure solar tech its place in the sun | Researcher uses artificial sunlight to test his STEG material, which has been etched with thousands of laser pulses
When it comes to solar power, solar cells and panels tend to get all the attention. But there's a different kind of solar power generator known as a STEG, and researchers have just figured out a way to improve its efficiency by a factor of 15.
This differs significantly from the focus of previous research, says Chunlei Guo, co-author of a study describing the breakthrough published in the journal Light: Science and Applications. This not only turned the tungsten to a heat-absorbing black color, but the placement of the pits made by the lasers allowed it to absorb even more heat from sunlight, and retain it longer. For the cold side of the STEG, the team turned its ultra-fast laser on a sheet of aluminum, creating a heat sink that was exceptionally good at dissipating warmth.
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