About this Research Topic
Recent progress has introduced novel materials and nanostructures that manipulate light in unconventional ways, leading to advancements in thermal radiation control. Techniques like nonreciprocal media, near-field effect, and modulation enable magnitude and directional control of heat flux, thereby benefiting cooling, thermal insulation, and energy harvesting.
As the demand for self-powered systems grows, nanogenerators (NGs) have emerged as key devices for converting waste mechanical and thermal energy into electricity. NGs, based on piezoelectric and/or triboelectric effects, find applications in smart sensors, robotics, medical science, and artificial intelligence.
This special topic provides a platform for researchers and scientists engaged in the field of Nano energy to share their new developments and insights. By integrating advances in radiative heat transfer and the utilization of nanogenerators, sustainable energy systems can be pushed forward, and battery-free solutions can be realized.
The topics covered under this research scope include, but are not limited to:
• Nano energy harvesting techniques
• Radiative heat transfer control for enhanced efficiency
• Clean energy technologies for a sustainable future
• Photon-based energy conversion and thermal management systems
• Battery-free, self-powered systems for IoT applications
• Novel materials and nanostructures enabling unconventional light manipulation
• Utilizing nonreciprocal media for precise heat flux control
• Harnessing the near-field effect for enhanced heat flux modulation
• Applications of nanogenerators in various domains
Keywords: Nano Structures, Radiative heat, thermal radiation control, photovoltaics, thermophotovoltaics, energy harversting, sensors
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.