The consensus usually perceived by the public is that solar panels on homes and buildings take in rays of the incoming sunlight to create voltage. However, some materials are being created that run in reverse and can add to the endless possibilities of alternative energy. These new “solar” cells produce power in the cold night sky.

Australian engineers have demonstrated the theory in action using the technology found in night-vision goggles. The prototype generates a small amount of power, but when powered with existing photovoltaic technology it could take in the energy provided by solar cells cooling.

"Photovoltaics, the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity, is an artificial process that humans have developed in order to convert the solar energy into power.

In that sense, the thermoradiative process is similar; we are diverting energy flowing in the infrared from a warm Earth into the cold Universe."

Phoebe Pearce, a physicist from the University of New South Wales, said.

Atoms jiggling in any material will force their electrons to generate low-energy ripples of electromagnetic radiation in the form of infrared light. All that will be needed is a one-way electron traffic signal which many know as a diode. Made of the right elements, the diode can shuffle electrons down the street as it loses heat.

The Australian engineers developed the diode made of mercury cadmium telluride which is already used in devices detecting infrared light. One of the tested photovoltaic detectors generated a power density of 2.26 milliwatts per square meter when heated to about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

It isn’t super warm and it isn’t ideal, but the idea is that it is a step in the right direction.

"Right now, the demonstration we have with the thermoradiative diode is relatively very low power. One of the challenges was actually detecting it.

But the theory says it is possible for this technology to ultimately produce about 1/10th of the power of a solar cell."

Ned Ekins-Daukes, the study's lead researcher, said.

"Down the line, this technology could potentially harvest that energy and remove the need for batteries in certain devices – or help to recharge them.

That isn't something where conventional solar power would necessarily be a viable option."

Ekins-Daukes said.

This research was published in ACS Photonics.