Corner- and edge-mode enhancement of near-field radiative heat transfer. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38632409/)

These scientists wanted to understand how heat can move between really small objects that are very close together. They already knew that heat can travel between objects in a way that is more powerful than what was thought possible. They decided to study how heat moves between tiny silicon carbide membranes that are only 20 nanometers thick and separated by a very small gap of 100 nanometers.

They found that the heat transfer between these tiny membranes was much stronger than expected because of special electromagnetic modes that occur at the corners and edges of the membranes. These modes made the heat transfer between the membranes much more efficient compared to larger surfaces. In fact, the heat transfer between the tiny membranes was 5.5 times stronger than between larger surfaces and 1,400 times stronger than what was previously thought possible.

This discovery is important because it can help scientists in the future make better ways to manage heat and convert it into energy.

Tang L., Correa LM., Francoeur M., Dames C. Corner- and edge-mode enhancement of near-field radiative heat transfer. Nature. 2024 May;629(8010):67-73. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07279-2. Epub 2024 Apr 17.