Photos: Catching rays with a Stirling engine
Stirling Energy Systems uses a 19th-century technology to address 21st-century demand for solar power.


1 of 4 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET
Stirling engine
Stirling Energy Systems is one of a number of start-ups focused on solar power. But there's one key difference: It's using an engine technology first developed in 1816.
2 of 4 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET
power conversion unit
The Stirling system's power conversion unit, seen here on a maintenance stand. The power comes from a cycle of heating and cooling--a gas in the system expands with exposure to an external heat source, such as the sun's rays.
3 of 4 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET
power conversion unit without heater head
The power conversion unit with its heater head removed. Stirling Energy is working with Boeing and the U.S. Department of Energy on performance tests.
4 of 4 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET
Robert Stirling
The original design of the Stirling engine, with a picture of its inventor, Church of Scotland minister Robert Stirling.
Related Galleries
Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
![Holiday lights in Central Park background]()
Related Galleries
Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
21 Photos
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
![Wooden lodge in pine forest with heavy snow reflection on Lake O'hara at Yoho national park]()
Related Galleries
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
21 Photos
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
![3D Rendering Christmas interior]()
Related Galleries
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
21 Photos
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
![img-8825]()
Related Galleries
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
26 Photos
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
![img-9792-2]()
Related Galleries
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
22 Photos
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
![shutterstock-1024665187.jpg]()
Related Galleries
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
8 Photos
Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'
![Full of promises!]()