Generating electricity from universal background radition?

[1101]

I'm not a physics major or anything (I'm actually a biochem major) but I was just wondering if the universal background radiation that keeps the universe (on average) a few degrees Kelvin warmer than absolute zero could possibly be enough to generate electricity. Essentially this minuscule amount of heat would have to be converted to electricity. It'd be interesting to see because it would be a safe, clean, and essentially limitless source of energy.

 

[Curl]

Radiation is useless without a cold sink. The photons are not in phase.

Nobody said there is a problem with energy, but there's a problem with useful energy. If you aren't into physics, don't worry about it.

 

[1101]

I'm guessing the energy required to make a cold sink to establish a temperature gradient would equal the energy gotten out of it (and that's assuming 100% efficiency)? Hm, what if whatever process used to generate electricity also lowered the temperature and did so at the rate of heat diffusion?

 

[adoado]

If you aren't into physics, don't worry about it.

I'm sure that kind of thinking is what pushes mankind forward.

Seriously, if you are interested in your idea, DO worry about it. Start reading, and asking questions. Hopefully the majority of people will be slightly more supportive.

Cheers!
Adrian

 

[sardar]

I find this concept intriguing and worth exploring further. The idea of using universal background radiation to generate electricity is not new, and there have been studies and experiments conducted on this topic.

One of the main challenges in harnessing this energy is the low intensity of the radiation. The amount of energy available from universal background radiation is extremely small, and converting it into usable electricity would require highly efficient and specialized technology.

Additionally, the technology required to capture and convert this energy would need to be able to operate at extremely low temperatures, close to absolute zero. This presents another technical challenge that would need to be addressed.

While the concept of using universal background radiation as a clean and limitless source of energy is appealing, it is important to also consider any potential risks or drawbacks. More research and testing would be required to fully understand the potential impact on the environment and any potential hazards associated with this type of energy generation.

In conclusion, while it is an interesting concept, there are still many technical and practical challenges that would need to be overcome before universal background radiation can be harnessed as a viable source of electricity. However, continued research and development in this area could lead to exciting advancements in clean and sustainable energy sources.