Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S) in Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)

Research project: Establishing a scientific foundation for harnessing quantum thermo-optical properties of nanomaterials for advanced energy conversion
Project Leader：Prof. Yuhei Miyauchi
Project Period：FY2024 ‒ FY2028

We have previously shown that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess a distinctive quantum thermo-optical property, wherein they convert high temperature thermal energy into narrowband near-infrared light, and have been conducting basic research to apply this property to highly efficient thermophotovoltaic power generation from both sunlight and hightemperature heat sources. In this project, we will overcome the conventional limitations in the heat resistance of CNTs and related nanomaterials and elucidate previously uncharted thermo-optical properties of nanomaterials at very high temperatures. This will provide a scientific foundation for harnessing the quantum properties of nanomaterials in energy science and technology of heat and light, which require operation in high temperature environments.