The LightCell converts any fuel to electricity with the endurance of gas engines and the silence and reliability of batteries.
In the LightCell, a small microcombustor heats a photonic crystal to incandescence. This nanophotonic material is engineered to emit certain wavelengths of light preferentially when heated. The emitted light drives photovoltaic cells to generate electricity without moving parts with unprecedented efficiency at this scale - no specialized fuel, no external sunlight needed.
How Mesodyne's LightCell works
In the microcombustor a small quantity of fuel is injected into a preheated air stream, where it reacts. The hot reaction products first heat the backside of the nanophotonic material, then transferring their remaining heat to preheat the incoming combustion air, and are finally released at a safe temperature.
The nanophotonic material is an array of micro-resonators that preferentially emits light at certain wavelengths when heated. We engineered the micro-resonator geometry to match the emission spectrum to what can be converted by the photovoltaic cells.
The photovoltaic cells convert the light into electricity, and are optimized for the wavelengths emitted by the photonic crystal.
Applications
Not only does the LightCell benefit small unmanned systems, but also any application limited by battery weight or availability of conventional electric power (grid, solar, wind).
The LightCell increases the endurance of fixed wing UAVs by 10X compared to batteries alone. Increased endurance is particularly useful when the UAV needs fly to a remote inaccessible site, perform its mission, and return. Low vibration from Mesodyne’s static conversion process is needed for accurate imaging.
The LightCell increases the endurance of unmanned surface vessels and the remote sensors they carry 4-8 times compared to batteries (depending on payload and vessel) enabling more reliable and cheaper data collection to ensure the safety of our oceans and coastal systems.
The LightCell addresses remote industrial instrumentation and scientific stations that are impractical to power by solar, for example at high latitudes or beneath a forest canopy, or where space is not available. Mesodyne offers increased reliability and uptime and makes transportation to the remote site easier by reducing weight.
The LightCell unburdens dismounted warfighters on extended missions carrying 10-20 pounds of batteries. Mesodyne could offer a 75% weight reduction, allowing them to carry more ammunition and water, while integrating with existing fuel supply logistics.
