Stray light-absorbing coatings for solar panels and AR/VR hardware

Magdassi Shlomo, HUJI, Faculty of Science, The Institute of Chemistry
Mandler Daniel, HUJI, Faculty of Science, The Institute of Chemistry

Simple system eliminates the need for specialized application equipment

Categories	Solar energy, Thermo-solar, Nanoparticles, Carbon nanotubes, Stray light, Black coatings
Development Stage	Proof of concept
Patent Status	PCT published

Highlights

A new, low-cost, black coating based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which form the most efficient light-absorbing materials available
High absorptance (>97%) coating suitable for a wide range of wavelengths (UV-IR)
High stability at elevated temperatures
Excellent adhesion to various surfaces
Excellent performance in preventing stray light in optical devices
Wet-deposition based spray

Our Innovation

A new black coating based on carbon nanotubes, the most efficient light-absorbing material available, is formulated in liquid paints and inks.

Key Features

Main advantages of the new formulation and coating:
Application by simple and rapid process, e.g., spraying or dipping.
Low-cost application process with no need for special high-cost equipment such as used in sputtering processes.
Very high absorptance, thermal stability and excellent adhesion
Extremely low reflectance (stray light prevention)
Suitable for small optical devices and large scale solar panel absorbers.

Development Milestones

The Market Opportunity

In 2013, a total capacity of 55.0 GWth, corresponding to 78.6million square meters of solar collectors, was installed worldwide, representing an increase in new collector installations of 1.8%compared to the year 2012.
The breakdown of the new installed capacity in 2013 by collector type is 17.4% glazed flat-plate collectors, 79.4% evacuated tube collectors, 3.1% unglazed water collectors and 0.1% glazed and unglazed air collectors.
The annual collector yield of all water-based solar thermal systems in operation by the end of 2013 was 314 TWh (= 1,129 PJ), corresponding to an energy savings equivalent of 33.7 million tons of oil and 109 million tons of CO2.

Researcher Information

https://scholars.huji.ac.il/magdassi/home

Patent Status