From Nanoantennas to Deep Space Satellites, Electron Emission Enables Efficient Power Generation
Customer Company Size
Large Corporate
Region
- Europe
Country
- Italy
Product
- COMSOL Multiphysics®
Tech Stack
- Numerical Simulation
- Particle Tracing Model
- Photon-enhanced Thermionic Emission (PETE)
Implementation Scale
- Departmental Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Productivity Improvements
- Energy Saving
- Innovation Output
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics
- Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Visualization
Applicable Industries
- Aerospace
- Healthcare & Hospitals
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Predictive Maintenance
- Remote Asset Management
- Remote Patient Monitoring
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
The Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) is a leading research institution in Italy, known for its cutting-edge work in various scientific and technological fields. Collaborating with the European Space Agency (ESA), IIT is focused on developing innovative solutions for extreme-environment technology and biomedical applications. The institute employs a multidisciplinary approach, leveraging expertise in physics, engineering, and biomedical sciences to tackle complex challenges. IIT's research spans a wide range of applications, from deep-space satellites to medical devices, aiming to improve power efficiency and functionality in harsh conditions. The institute's work is characterized by its use of advanced numerical simulations and modeling techniques to optimize device performance and ensure reliability.
The Challenge
Deep space and the human body present unique challenges for designing devices that can operate safely, reliably, and efficiently. Equipment used in extreme environments such as aqueous conditions, severe temperatures, and high pressure levels often struggle with stable and efficient power generation. The search for better power efficiency in devices like deep-space satellites and medical equipment has identified electron emission as a potential method for power generation. Electron emission occurs when a metal surface or electrode is subjected to an electrostatic field, heat, or incoming light, causing electrons to escape the metal and be collected for usable electricity. The Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the European Space Agency (ESA) are collaborating to develop systems based on electron emission for solar power collection on deep-space satellites. Researchers at IIT are also applying similar concepts to power nanoantennas for studying electrical signals in the brain.
The Solution
The solution involves using COMSOL Multiphysics® software to study and optimize Photon-enhanced Thermionic Emission (PETE) solar cells for deep-space satellites. PETE cells combine photovoltaics with thermionic emission to boost power generation. The team at IIT, led by Zilio, used numerical simulations to analyze different PETE cell designs, focusing on maximizing charge buildup at the anode and minimizing the space charge cloud that interferes with electron flow. They tested various configurations, including a nanocone array cathode and a positively-charged mesh gate, to enhance electron emission and improve efficiency. The simulations allowed them to determine the optimal gate voltage, pitch size, and anode-cathode distance for the best performance. Additionally, the team applied similar techniques to study electron photoemission in nanoantennas for biomedical applications. These antennas, made of dielectric nanotubes coated with gold or silver, are designed to operate in aqueous environments like the human brain. The simulations helped the team understand the electric field levels, electron density, and trajectories, enabling them to choose an operating range that minimizes the risk of ionization and antenna failure.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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