Danielle Mor, PhD, a neuroscientist in the Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, will receive $2.3 million in funding as part of the National Institutes of Health High-Risk, High-Reward Research program.

A recent study on thermophotovoltaics (TPV) demonstrates its potential for cost-effective energy generation by converting heat into electricity. Researchers conducted a techno-economic analysis of a TPV system integrated with phase-change materials for energy storage, optimizing the levelized costs of consumed energy (LCOE) and electricity (LCOEel). Results showed modest reductions in LCOE ($0.035/kWh) and LCOEel ($0.132/kWh), indicating economic feasibility, although LCOEel remains above the average electricity price. The results could inform performance improvement targets and metrics for grid resilience applications. Key factors influencing costs include system lifetime, capital costs, inflation rates, and natural gas prices, suggesting that further research in these areas could enhance TPV adoption.