3 ms·
Original MIT description: http://www.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/graphene-thermoelectric-1007.html http://www.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/graphene-thermoelectric-1...
by jws 15y ago
Original MIT description: http://www.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/graphene-thermoelectric-1007.html http://www.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/graphene-thermoelectric-1...
Current had previously been seen in response to light, but was assumed to be a photovoltaic effect. This new work says it is a "hot-carrier" response.
"The material’s electrons, which carry current, are heated by the light, but the lattice of carbon nuclei that forms graphene’s backbone remains cool. It’s this difference in temperature within the material that produces the flow of electricity."
It is interesting because it is a response to temperature differences and responds to wide frequencies and power ranges of light.
Don't sell your coal mine stock yet, "It is still unclear if it could be used for efficient energy generation. It’s too early to tell."
- jcfrei 15y ago>Don't sell your coal mine stock yet, "It is still unclear if it could be used for efficient energy generation. It’s too early to tell." isn't graphene made from coal? maybe this discovery might even further increase coal demand?
- DiabloD3 15y agoCoal is largely dirty (impure) carbon. Its easier to pull carbon out of thin air than refine it from coal.
- sp332 15y agoCoal is made of carbon molecules, and so is graphene. But then again so is diamond, and graphite (pencil lead). So it's not easy to convert coal->graphene (though it's probably not as hard as graphite->diamond :) https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Allotropes_of_carbon https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Allotropes_of...