Bedford Startup Develops Thermophotovoltaic Solar Power System
What happened
A Bedford startup called Fourth Power began building a solar power system based on research from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The system utilizes a thermophotovoltaic cell, which converts infrared light into electricity. This light is generated by heating graphite blocks and liquid tin until the metal glows, activating built-in solar panels when the sun is not shining.
From bostonglobe.com
Why it matters
If successful, the Fourth Power technology could become a preferred method for providing extra power to electrical grids during periods of peak demand. The startup noted that there has been no comparable technology on the market to address this problem since the 1970s.
From bostonglobe.com
Who's involved
- BedfordStartup location for Fourth Power, which is building the solar power system.
- Asegun HenryMIT professor whose decade-long research forms the basis of the new solar technology.
- Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInstitution where Asegun Henry is a professor and whose research is being utilized.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Massachusetts Institute of TechnologySpeculative
The successful spin-off could increase institutional revenue through potential intellectual property licensing.
- Asegun HenrySpeculative
The commercialization of his research could lead to increased funding opportunities.
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The entities involved
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, founded 1861