Comsol Case Studies From Nanoantennas to Deep Space Satellites, Electron Emission Enables Efficient Power Generation

	From Nanoantennas to Deep Space Satellites, Electron Emission Enables Efficient Power Generation Comsol

From Nanoantennas to Deep Space Satellites, Electron Emission Enables Efficient Power Generation

Comsol

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization
Applicable Industries	Aerospace Healthcare & Hospitals
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Predictive Maintenance Remote Asset Management Remote Patient Monitoring
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	Deep space and the human body present unique challenges for designing devices that can operate safely, reliably, and efficiently. Equipment used in extreme environments such as aqueous conditions, severe temperatures, and high pressure levels often struggle with stable and efficient power generation. The search for better power efficiency in devices like deep-space satellites and medical equipment has identified electron emission as a potential method for power generation. Electron emission occurs when a metal surface or electrode is subjected to an electrostatic field, heat, or incoming light, causing electrons to escape the metal and be collected for usable electricity. The Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the European Space Agency (ESA) are collaborating to develop systems based on electron emission for solar power collection on deep-space satellites. Researchers at IIT are also applying similar concepts to power nanoantennas for studying electrical signals in the brain. Read More
About Customer	The Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) is a leading research institution in Italy, known for its cutting-edge work in various scientific and technological fields. Collaborating with the European Space Agency (ESA), IIT is focused on developing innovative solutions for extreme-environment technology and biomedical applications. The institute employs a multidisciplinary approach, leveraging expertise in physics, engineering, and biomedical sciences to tackle complex challenges. IIT's research spans a wide range of applications, from deep-space satellites to medical devices, aiming to improve power efficiency and functionality in harsh conditions. The institute's work is characterized by its use of advanced numerical simulations and modeling techniques to optimize device performance and ensure reliability. Read More
Solution	The solution involves using COMSOL Multiphysics® software to study and optimize Photon-enhanced Thermionic Emission (PETE) solar cells for deep-space satellites. PETE cells combine photovoltaics with thermionic emission to boost power generation. The team at IIT, led by Zilio, used numerical simulations to analyze different PETE cell designs, focusing on maximizing charge buildup at the anode and minimizing the space charge cloud that interferes with electron flow. They tested various configurations, including a nanocone array cathode and a positively-charged mesh gate, to enhance electron emission and improve efficiency. The simulations allowed them to determine the optimal gate voltage, pitch size, and anode-cathode distance for the best performance. Additionally, the team applied similar techniques to study electron photoemission in nanoantennas for biomedical applications. These antennas, made of dielectric nanotubes coated with gold or silver, are designed to operate in aqueous environments like the human brain. The simulations helped the team understand the electric field levels, electron density, and trajectories, enabling them to choose an operating range that minimizes the risk of ionization and antenna failure. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics

Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization

Applicable Industries

Aerospace

Healthcare & Hospitals

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Predictive Maintenance

Remote Asset Management

Remote Patient Monitoring

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

Deep space and the human body present unique challenges for designing devices that can operate safely, reliably, and efficiently. Equipment used in extreme environments such as aqueous conditions, severe temperatures, and high pressure levels often struggle with stable and efficient power generation. The search for better power efficiency in devices like deep-space satellites and medical equipment has identified electron emission as a potential method for power generation. Electron emission occurs when a metal surface or electrode is subjected to an electrostatic field, heat, or incoming light, causing electrons to escape the metal and be collected for usable electricity. The Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the European Space Agency (ESA) are collaborating to develop systems based on electron emission for solar power collection on deep-space satellites. Researchers at IIT are also applying similar concepts to power nanoantennas for studying electrical signals in the brain.

About Customer

The Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) is a leading research institution in Italy, known for its cutting-edge work in various scientific and technological fields. Collaborating with the European Space Agency (ESA), IIT is focused on developing innovative solutions for extreme-environment technology and biomedical applications. The institute employs a multidisciplinary approach, leveraging expertise in physics, engineering, and biomedical sciences to tackle complex challenges. IIT's research spans a wide range of applications, from deep-space satellites to medical devices, aiming to improve power efficiency and functionality in harsh conditions. The institute's work is characterized by its use of advanced numerical simulations and modeling techniques to optimize device performance and ensure reliability.

Solution

The solution involves using COMSOL Multiphysics® software to study and optimize Photon-enhanced Thermionic Emission (PETE) solar cells for deep-space satellites. PETE cells combine photovoltaics with thermionic emission to boost power generation. The team at IIT, led by Zilio, used numerical simulations to analyze different PETE cell designs, focusing on maximizing charge buildup at the anode and minimizing the space charge cloud that interferes with electron flow. They tested various configurations, including a nanocone array cathode and a positively-charged mesh gate, to enhance electron emission and improve efficiency. The simulations allowed them to determine the optimal gate voltage, pitch size, and anode-cathode distance for the best performance. Additionally, the team applied similar techniques to study electron photoemission in nanoantennas for biomedical applications. These antennas, made of dielectric nanotubes coated with gold or silver, are designed to operate in aqueous environments like the human brain. The simulations helped the team understand the electric field levels, electron density, and trajectories, enabling them to choose an operating range that minimizes the risk of ionization and antenna failure.

Impact #1	The use of COMSOL Multiphysics® software enabled the team to couple space charge behavior with other physical effects, such as light absorption and carrier transport, providing a comprehensive analysis of the PETE cell.
Impact #2	Numerical simulations allowed the team to test different PETE cell designs and configurations, identifying the most efficient setup for deep-space satellite applications.
Impact #3	The team successfully minimized the space charge cloud by incorporating a positively-charged mesh gate, significantly improving electron extraction and overall device efficiency.

Impact #1

The use of COMSOL Multiphysics® software enabled the team to couple space charge behavior with other physical effects, such as light absorption and carrier transport, providing a comprehensive analysis of the PETE cell.

Impact #2

Numerical simulations allowed the team to test different PETE cell designs and configurations, identifying the most efficient setup for deep-space satellite applications.

Impact #3

The team successfully minimized the space charge cloud by incorporating a positively-charged mesh gate, significantly improving electron extraction and overall device efficiency.

Benefit #1	The optimized PETE cell design resulted in a significant increase in current output and power conversion efficiency.
Benefit #2	The positively-charged mesh gate configuration reduced the space charge cloud, leading to a higher electron extraction rate.
Benefit #3	The simulations enabled the team to determine the optimal gate voltage, pitch size, and anode-cathode distance, maximizing the efficiency of the PETE cell.

Benefit #1

The optimized PETE cell design resulted in a significant increase in current output and power conversion efficiency.

Benefit #2

The positively-charged mesh gate configuration reduced the space charge cloud, leading to a higher electron extraction rate.

Benefit #3

The simulations enabled the team to determine the optimal gate voltage, pitch size, and anode-cathode distance, maximizing the efficiency of the PETE cell.

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Overview

From Nanoantennas to Deep Space Satellites, Electron Emission Enables Efficient Power Generation

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit