Riku Enomoto
Future Energy Division
- Position
- Assistant Professor
- TEL
- ＋81-3-5734-2507
- enomoto.r.843am.isct.ac.jp
- Researcher Link
- Web of Science | ORCID
Feature of Research
Through studies on energy conversion, this research aims to contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality. By integrating apparatus design, fabrication, and experimentation with quantum chemical calculations, the research covers a broad spectrum ranging from thermodynamics at the molecular scale to performance enhancement toward social implementation.
Outline of Research
- Electrochemical power generation during forced convection cooling to utilize waste heat
Efficient operation of electronic devices and heat engines, as well as prevention of thermal damage, necessitate cooling; however, significant exergy loss inevitably occurs during the cooling process. In response, our laboratory has developed a novel technology which enables partial recovery of the exergy loss as electric power during cooling. Current efforts focus on increasing power generation density through the exploration of metal complexes for thermoelectrochemical power generation and the design and fabrication of new flow thermoelectric generation systems. - Photon upconversion to increase solar energy utilization efficiency
In solar energy applications such as hydrogen production via photocatalysis, artificial photosynthesis, and power generation by solar cells, photons with energies below the bandgap of the semiconductor cannot be utilized, fundamentally limiting the efficiency of light energy conversion. Photon upconversion, which can circumvent this limitation, has recently shifted from organic solvent-based systems—unsuitable for practical use—to solid-state systems. Our laboratory has developed a novel system based on solid solution crystals, achieving exceptionally high performance.
Keyword
Thermal energy harvesting, Photon upconversion