tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17555522.post2001259127222332984..comments2009-09-18T00:36:10.615-07:00bwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541279438184352860noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17555522.post-54943306811314749692009-09-05T18:15:02.780-07:002009-09-05T18:15:02.780-07:00It is a shame no one considers the use of better technology electric batteries in the quest for energy independence. Thermal efficiencies are fixed and while there are notable advances, all useful systems require some sort of energy storage. That storage is generally chemical, and in the case for high efficiency electric batteries, that is typical. Scavenging waste heat from engines is an excellent way to improve efficiencies... above the Carnot limit! However, complexity must increase involving the use of better electrical storage. Many, many ways of producing electricity are known but few are available to store this energy.standehavenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16333069895331119737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17555522.post-37491300636761811182008-08-02T03:27:00.000-07:002008-08-02T03:27:00.000-07:00Brian, your own figures prove that thermo-electrics aren't going to make LWRs and other low temp heat sources substantially more efficient even with a ZT of 20.<BR/><BR/>There is some hope that nano antennas can be used instead, plausibly giving efficiency equal to the carnot limit.Cyril Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667288494374310919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17555522.post-25304063657322763022008-07-31T09:16:00.000-07:002008-07-31T09:16:00.000-07:00At 40% conversion efficiency, this could be the "killer app" for solar power.Big Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14336047130747324435noreply@blogger.com