We derive the fundamental limits of energy harvesting from the outgoing thermal radiation from the ambient to the outer space. The derivations are based on a duality relation between thermal engines that harvest solar radiation and those that harvest outgoing thermal radiation. We also derive the ultimate limit for harvesting outgoing thermal radiation, analogous to the Landsberg limit for solar energy harvesting, and show that the ultimate limit far exceeds what was previously thought to be possible.

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Siddharth Buddhiraju, Parthiban Santhanam, and Shanhui Fan, "Thermodynamic limits of energy harvesting from outgoing thermal radiation," Proc. SPIE 10759, New Concepts in Solar and Thermal Radiation Conversion and Reliability, 107590N (Presented at SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications: August 20, 2018; Published: 17 September 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2323951.