The work in the project is divided in four work packages:
WP1 – Theory and modelling
WP1 focuses on the challenge of understanding the limitations of electroluminescent cooling in presently realizable and future device configurations and finding strategies to avoid the key bottlenecks. To do so, both numerical models of the full charge-photon-phonon transport and theoretical models of the thermodynamics including losses are developed. In addition, solutions for improved thermal management, in terms of single solid-state device or vacuum gap-based insulation involving electromagnetic heat transfer in the near field is considered.
WP1 is led by Dr. Olivier Chapuis and CNRS
WP2 – Fabrication and characterization
WP2 focuses on developing the approaches for fabricating TF LED and PV cell structures to demonstrate electroluminescent cooling and subsequently thermophotonic cooling configurations. The focus is on the application of the epitaxial lift-off (ELO) technique to eliminate all optical losses from the absorbing substrate, on maximizing the photon-recycling and resonance effects in the components, and finding geometries and solutions for minimizing optical and resistive losses, while maximizing the light extraction and thermal insulation. This WP is the one requiring the largest efforts
WP2 is led by Dr. Natasha Gruginskie and Radboud University
WP3 – Systems and applications
WP3 focuses on evaluating the performance and characteristics of the components of WP2, and using the findings to generate insight on the feasibility of early practical applications as well as providing feedback on the best directions to WPs 1-2.
WP3 is led by Prof. Mika Prunnila and VTT
WP 4 – Management, dissemination and exploitation.
WP4 focuses on project management tasks, and is led by Aalto.
Figure 1: Overview of the work in the project.