The emission of thermal radiation is a physical process of both fundamental and technological interest. From different perspectives, the emission of thermal radiation can be regarded either as one of the basic mechanisms of heat transfer, as a fundamental quantum phenomenon of photon production, or as the propagation of electromagnetic waves. Focusing on these approaches, here we survey some of the most significant scientific and technological breakthroughs in thermal emission engineering, from fundamental aspects to new phenomena and innovative applications, highlighting the enticing opportunities brought about by transiting from approaches based on spatial modeling to the recent proposal of temporally modulated media.
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