A matrix to explore energy conversion.
Forms of energy
| Name |
Underlying effect
|
| Light |
transport of photons. Should we distinguish between photon transport and waves ? (for example, distinguishing between photo-voltaic effect and radio waves)
|
| Electricity |
transport of electrons (metal, conductor or semi-conductor, void), or ions (fluid)
|
| Mechanical (move) |
macroscopic transport of atoms. Conversion to or from move should always incur losses due to friction
|
| Mechanical (wave) |
transport of energy by means of mechanical deformation without matter transport ("sound", pressure waves in fluid or solid)
|
| Thermal |
group of atoms internal agitation. Converting from thermal energy means using a temperature difference, converting "to" thermal energy means increasing temperature difference, either by heating or cooling.
|
| Chemical |
recombination of atoms (molecules) with a different level of energy
|
| Nuclear,thermonuclear |
recombination of atom nuclei with a different level of energy
|
(and more: anti-matter ! but not practical yet)
Non chemical
| From |
To |
effect |
Reversible (meaning the same device works both ways) |
device typical name |
Efficiency (whatever it means)
|
| Light
|
Electricity
|
Photovoltaic (Einstein Nobel prize !)
|
? panel should glow when a voltage is applied
|
solar panel
|
10-20% ?
|
| Light
|
Electricity
|
Electromagnetism
|
Yes
|
radio antenna
|
?
|
| Light |
Mechanical (move)
|
(name ?)
|
?No
|
Crookes bulb ? (use intermediate heat effect ?), "solar sail" (does a prototype exist ?)
|
?
|
| Light |
Mechanical wave
|
?Direct conversion of light into sound ???
|
| Light
|
Heat (hotter)
|
Black body
|
Yes (thermoluminescence)
|
?
|
?
|
| Light
|
Heat (cooler)
|
Laser cooling. Is it possible to build a fridge that works directly from light ?
|
Laser cooler
|
| Electricity
|
Light
|
Electromagnetism,quantum effect (semi-conductor), plasma
|
?should be, from a theoretical point of view (however, getting a natural plasma source isn't easy !)
|
radio antenna,LED,neon tube. NB: the light bulb is really a conversion of heat into light.
|
~100% (LED)
|
| Electricity |
Mechanical move
|
Electromagnetism
|
Yes (dynamo)
|
electric motor
|
~100% (losses due to ohm effect)
|
| Electricity
|
Mechanical (pressure)
|
Piezo
|
Should be
|
piezoelectric transducer
|
?
|
| Electricity
|
Heat (hotter)
|
Ohm
|
No, but see Seebek
|
Resistor !
|
100%
|
| Electricity
|
Heat (cooler)
|
Seebek
|
Yes (Ohm)
|
|
100%
|
| Mechanical move |
Light
|
?
|
| Mechanical move |
Electricity
|
Electromagnetism
|
Yes (electric motor)
|
Dynamo
|
~100%
|
| Mechanical move |
Mechanical wave
|
|
In theory. Practical application ?
|
Drum
|
?
|
| Mechanical move |
Thermal (hotter)
|
Friction, thermal displacement
|
No ? (2nd law of thermodynamic)
|
Brake, heat pump
|
100% (from the point of view of energy conversion)
|
| Mechanical move |
Thermal (cooler)
|
Thermodynamic
|
Yes (Stirling engine)
|
Stirling engine, freezer
|
| Mechanical wave |
Light
|
Some materials emit light when moved (such as some fabric)
|
| Mechanical wave |
Electricity
|
Piezo
|
Yes
|
Pressure sensor
|
?
|
| Mechanical wave |
Mechanical move
|
?Practical application (sound motor !)
|
|
|
| Mechanical wave |
Thermal (hotter)
|
Friction
|
|
Practical application
|
| Thermal |
light
|
Thermoluminescence
|
Sould be
|
light bulb
|
20% ?
|
| Thermal |
Electricity
|
Seebek effect
|
yes (can cool using electricity)
|
Thermogenerator
|
6-8%
|
| Thermal |
Mechanical move
|
Thermodynamic
|
Yes, can "produce" (displace) heat or cold when fed with mechanical movement
|
Stirling engine for example
|
30% has been demonstrated
|
| Thermal |
mechanical wave
|
is it possible to get a sound by heating some material ? At least, it should evacuate heat at the same rate (to produce a wave)
|
Chemical
| From |
To |
effect |
Reversible |
device typical name |
Efficiency (whatever it means)
|
| Chemical
|
light
|
photoluminescence
|
other reactions
|
?
|
?
|
| Light
|
Chemical
|
photosynthesis, photodissociation
|
otherreactions
|
Practical applications ?
|
?
|
| Chemical
|
Thermal
|
exothermic reaction (very numerous)
|
other reactions (endothermic)
|
?
|
?
|
| Chemical
|
Mechanical
|
gaz expansion ?
|
???
|
Rocket
|
?
|
Nuclear
Not for the hobbyist...
| From |
To |
effect |
Reversible |
device typical name |
Efficiency (whatever it means)
|
| Nuclear
|
Heat
|
Fission, fusion, disintegration
|
Only theoretical. The magnitude difference between nuclear and other forms of energy is such that reverse conversion is out of reach for practical purpose given the state of physics.
|
Nuclear reactor
|
?
|
| Nuclear
|
Light
|
?
|
| Nuclear
|
Mechanical
|
?
|
| Nuclear
|
Chemical
|
Practical ?
|
| Nuclear
|
Electricity
|
The St Graal of energy production
|
