Graphene Solar Thermal Film Could Be a New Way to Harvest Renewable Energy

Researchers at the Centre for Translational Atomaterials (CTAM) at Swinburne University of Technologies in Melbourne, Australia, have produced a new graphene-primarily based film that can take in daylight with an effectiveness of over 90 %, although simultaneously reducing most IR thermal emission loss—the first time such a feat has been described.

The final result is an effective photo voltaic heating metamaterial that can heat up quickly to 83 degrees C (181 degrees F) in an open up setting with minimum heat decline. Proposed apps for the film contain thermal vitality harvesting and storage, thermoelectricity generation, and seawater desalination.