The guy who invented the SuperSoaker (Lonnie Johnson)
.. has invented a
really interesting solid-state thermoelectric engine,
with theoretically double the energy efficiency of modern PV (solar) cells.
Johnson thermoelectric energy converter
[
link to en.wikipedia.org (secure)]
[
link to johnsonems.com]
The way it works is brilliant; I've never heard of anything like it.
Basically, it works by heat-induced compression/expansion of hydrogen gas through a proton exchange membrane (PEM), which ionizes the gas (i.e. strips electrons), inducing a current through electrodes attached to the membrane.
It operates as a closed system with no moving classical mechanical parts, requires no input of fuel, and creates no exhaust.
Quoting: wikiIt's so elegant, you'd think someone would have thought of it before. But it's completely original, and predicts up to 60% energy conversion efficiency, compared to 5% efficient Peltier cells, or <30% efficient solar arrays.
There
are new inventions and ideas. They don't always get sufficient funding or attention, idk why.
Maybe pressure from the status-quo of existing industry cash cows.
