A thermophotovoltaic micro-generator for portable power applications

We report a MEMS based thermophotovoltaic micro-generator that has been successfully operated with positive net electrical power output. The key components of the system are the suspended-tube micro-reactor (S/spl mu/RE) that serves as an emitter, and a gallium-antimonide photocell that converts the emitted radiation into electricity. Net electrical power of 1.0 mW was produced with the emitter heated to /spl sim/770/spl deg/C by the combustion of propane and air in the reactor. The overall system efficiency was 0.08%. This is a promising technology for portable power systems to replace batteries in certain applications.