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For the first time, an experiment broke with Kirchhoff's Law on thermal radiation. See what this can change in solar energy
For the first time in the history of physics, an experiment broke with Kirchhoff's Law, which regulates the relationship between the absorption and emission of thermal radiation, according to Revista Galileo. The discovery, made by a team of scientists from the laboratory of Harry Atwater, from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), in the United States, could revolutionize solar energy technologies.
The relationship between absorption and emission of thermal radiation
Kirchhoff's Law, proposed by the German physicist Gustav Kirchhoff in 1860, states that the efficiencies of absorption and emission of energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation are equal for each wavelength and angle of incidence, but only when the object under study is in thermodynamic balance.
This rule is widely applied in identifying materials that can be used to regulate the temperature, such as thermal blankets that reflect heat to maintain the proper temperature.
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However, the team of scientists led by Harry Atwater managed to experimentally prove an exception to this scientific law established more than 150 years ago. According to Atwater, although theoretical theories about the violation of Kirchhoff's Law had already been presented before, this is the first experimental proof of its breaking.
Implications for Solar energy and future technologies
The discovery has significant implications for solar energy and thermal radiation absorption and emission technologies. The possibility of breaking Kirchhoff's Law paves the way for improvements in technologies for capturing and harnessing solar energy. With a deeper understanding of the behavior of thermal radiation in different materials, it is possible to develop more efficient systems for collecting and converting solar energy, contributing to the expansion of the use of clean and sustainable energy sources.
The discovery made by Harry Atwater's laboratory represents a significant milestone in scientific research on thermal radiation and opens up new perspectives for the improvement of solar technologies. With the possibility of developing more efficient materials and systems to capture and use the sun's energy, we are moving towards a more sustainable and ecologically responsible future, driving the adoption of renewable energy sources on a global scale. The study can inspire technological advances and contribute to a world that is more aware of the use of natural resources.
