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