web.mit.edu— MIT research points to a much more efficient way of harvesting electrical power from what would otherwise be wasted heat.
Dec 31, 2009View in Crawl 4
He's actually right! Violating the laws of thermodynamics WILL be the most efficient way. Seriously, I would like to put 100 J of heat to make 9001 J of mechanical energy.
This isn't over-unity, which is rightly impossible. This is about using formerly wasted energy from processes that have yields of less than unity to generate more power. Thermal power plants are only 30-50% efficient in converting heat to electricity, depending on the process used.This process might allow 10% or 20% more energy to be extracted from a given amount of heat. This is doing more with what you already have, and that means lower electricity rates and/or more profits.
The idea of converting general heat into electricity would not only help to reduce the populations reliance on fossil fuels and other inefficient practices of power generation, but it would encourage growth of thought in other ingenious technologies. It almost seems to allow for the recycle of heat into electricity, which would then be converted back into heat via mechanical work, that can then be recycled back into electricity. Limitless applications.....WOW!!
Closed AccountDec 31, 2009
<a class="user" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hle4OdJ1u9E&amp;feature=player_embedded" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hle4OdJ1u9E&amp;fea ...</a>
imran7Jan 1, 2010
I love how Homer is so dumb yet he can recognize which physics law Lisa is breaking with her perpetual motion machine..
hyperjackJan 1, 2010
@Pinkertinkle & tidu:Talk about putting your foot in it. Berkana told you straight!
iforgotaboutitJan 1, 2010
He's actually right! Violating the laws of thermodynamics WILL be the most efficient way. Seriously, I would like to put 100 J of heat to make 9001 J of mechanical energy.
Closed AccountJan 1, 2010
This isn't over-unity, which is rightly impossible. This is about using formerly wasted energy from processes that have yields of less than unity to generate more power. Thermal power plants are only 30-50% efficient in converting heat to electricity, depending on the process used.This process might allow 10% or 20% more energy to be extracted from a given amount of heat. This is doing more with what you already have, and that means lower electricity rates and/or more profits.
edwinaabbottJan 1, 2010
The idea of converting general heat into electricity would not only help to reduce the populations reliance on fossil fuels and other inefficient practices of power generation, but it would encourage growth of thought in other ingenious technologies. It almost seems to allow for the recycle of heat into electricity, which would then be converted back into heat via mechanical work, that can then be recycled back into electricity. Limitless applications.....WOW!!
mrspipe11598Jan 2, 2010
Amazing! I love this story.Thanks,The Pipe Doctor<a class="user" href="http://www.pipedoc.net" rel="nofollow">http://www.pipedoc.net</a>
masog1711Jan 3, 2010
If the universe is three degrees above absolute zero how much of this heat can be used to create free energy?