Story perspectives

UC Davis Engineers Harness Nighttime Temperature for Power

11/14/2025

50 10

Summary

Story summary

Engineers at the University of California, Davis, created a device that generates mechanical power at night using the temperature difference between ambient warmth and outer space.
This device combines a Stirling engine with a radiative cooling panel and operates without fuel.
After a year of nighttime experiments, it produced at least 400 milliwatts of power per square meter.
The technology may benefit greenhouse and building ventilation in areas with clear night skies.
UC Davis has filed a provisional patent and aims to refine the design for larger applications.

1 of 1

Story summary

Engineers at the University of California, Davis, created a device that generates mechanical power at night using the temperature difference between ambient warmth and outer space.
This device combines a Stirling engine with a radiative cooling panel and operates without fuel.
After a year of nighttime experiments, it produced at least 400 milliwatts of power per square meter.
The technology may benefit greenhouse and building ventilation in areas with clear night skies.
UC Davis has filed a provisional patent and aims to refine the design for larger applications.