New Thermocell Could Turn 'Waste Heat' Into Electricity

Posted by Soulskill on Tuesday July 16, 2013 @09:10AM from the my-laptop-is-now-a-free-energy-device dept.

dryriver sends this quote from Phys.org: "Harvesting waste heat from power stations and even vehicle exhaust pipes could soon provide a valuable supply of electricity. A small team of Monash University researchers ... has developed an ionic liquid-based thermocell (abstract). Thermocell technology is based on harnessing the thermal energy from the difference in temperature between two surfaces and converting that energy into electricity. The new thermocell could be used to generate electricity from low grade steam in coal fired power stations at temperatures around 130C. This would be implemented by having the steam pass over the outer surface of the hot electrode to keep it hot while the other electrode is air or water cooled."

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Re:Cost/Benefit Analysis? by Waffle+Iron · 2013-07-16 10:09 · Score: -1, Flamebait

How do they plan on keeping the air or water cool? Sounds like a net energy loss.
You know what? You're right!
Heads are going to roll at this university when the funding providers find out that not one of the so-called "academics" in this department had even thought of that problem. It's sad that it took a sharp-eyed AC to point out that all their efforts have been for naught.