In a nanoscale device, this temperature is approximately equal to the temperature of the device itself. However, in a macroscale device the generated electrons accumulate faster than they are collected. Thus, the electron population is heated up to the optical phonon temperature and further generation is inhibited. The down-conversion is simultaneously inhibited as the acoustic phonon population is heated to the optical phonon temperature. Thus, the large pV cell develops a near-equilibrium state where it is heated. At best, it will act like a thermoelectric generator and exhibit thermoelectric effects. Such a device is called a thermovoltaic, rather than a phonovoltaic.