Can the Pyroelectric Effect Power Engines and Generate Electricity from Heat?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the potential of harnessing power through pyroelectric energy conversion, which is the ability of a material to produce an electrical potential when exposed to temperature changes. The efficiency of this process is still less than 100%, and there is a mention of using waste heat in a condenser to increase efficiency. However, it is pointed out that the photoelectric effect, which requires energetic photons, may not be a practical method for harnessing this waste heat.
  • #1
atom888
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The term defines a material possesses electrical potential under different in temperature. That means we can harness power. That means we can make engine with a near 100% efficiency.
 
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  • #2
No the efficiency of pyroelectric energy conversion is still well less than 100%. Was that your point?
 
  • #3
uart said:
No the efficiency of pyroelectric energy conversion is still well less than 100%. Was that your point?

use the waste heat in the condenser before it go out to the reservoir . Of course there still efficiency in the process but we getting some more worked out of the whole thing.
 
  • #4
What condenser? And how would you use the photoelectric effect on condenser heat? It requires photons - energetic ones, at that. You can't just point a solar panel at a warm object and expect it to generate a bunch of electricity from the handful of far infrared photons it receives.
 

1. What is the Pyroelectric effect?

The Pyroelectric effect is a phenomenon where certain materials, such as crystals and ceramics, generate an electrical charge when they experience a change in temperature.

2. How does the Pyroelectric effect work?

The Pyroelectric effect is based on the principle of polarization, where the positive and negative charges in a material are separated. When the temperature of the material changes, the movement of the molecules causes a shift in the polarized charges, resulting in an electrical charge.

3. What are some practical applications of the Pyroelectric effect?

The Pyroelectric effect has a wide range of applications, including motion sensors, thermal imaging cameras, and energy harvesting devices. It is also used in the production of infrared detectors and as a method for measuring temperature changes.

4. Can the Pyroelectric effect be reversed?

Yes, the Pyroelectric effect can be reversed by applying an external electric field to the material. This causes a change in the polarized charges, resulting in a change in temperature. This is known as the reverse Pyroelectric effect.

5. Are there any drawbacks to using the Pyroelectric effect?

One potential drawback of the Pyroelectric effect is that it is not a constant source of energy. The electrical charge generated is dependent on the temperature changes, so the amount of energy produced may vary. Additionally, some materials used in the Pyroelectric effect are expensive and difficult to produce.

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