New quantum tunneling application captures electricity from Earth's heat

Researchers have learned how to produce electricity from Earth's excess infrared radiation and waste heat through the unusual physics of quantum tunneling. Quantum tunneling is a phenomenon in which particles are able to tunnel through a barrier that, under the rules of classical mechanics, they are usually unable to pass through. First predicted in the early 20th century and generally accepted by mid-century, quantum tunneling plays an important applied role in devices such as the tunnel diode,...

from Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building https://inhabitat.com/new-quantum-tunneling-application-captures-electricity-from-earths-heat
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