Figure 1. Operation of the Thermal Cell (IMAGE)

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Figure 1. Operation of the Thermal Cell

Caption

Here, the height of the building represents the energy state of electrons. Electrons in the semiconductor layer rise to a high-energy state by becoming thermally excited and then transfer to the electron transport layer. Then, they go through an external circuit and reach the counter electrode. Redox reactions take place in the electrolyte layer next to the counter electrode, providing the semiconductor with low-energy electrons. In spite of providing continuous heating, this process eventually stops as the different copper ions in the electrolyte relocate. However, the battery can revert this situation by opening the external circuit for a certain duration.

Credit

Journal of Materials Chemistry A, Sachiko Matsushita

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