MATERIALS FOR ENERGY CONVERSION

  • Projects
  • MEC

To achieve the maximum conversion of the solar energy it is necessary to develop selective absorbers to maximize the absorption in the visible and near infra-red light wavelength region and minimize the thermal emittance in the deep infrared region. A high solar absorption can be achieved using coating with a graded refractive index and extinction coefficient and the study of these systems are at the core of the project [PTDC/CTM-ENE/2892/2014: Solar selective absorber for high temperature applications (SOLAR)]. On the other hand a different approach is being explored using up-conversion (UC) luminescent materials. With the incorporation of UC phosphors, transmitted sub-band-gap photons can be converted into above-band-gap light which is absorbed by the cell material. Our group is participating on a project to dope with rare-earth ions to activate aluminosilicates and titania [PTDC/CTM-ENE/1087/2014: Photonic crystal-assisted frequency conversion phosphor layers for energy applications (COFRE)].

 

Hosting institution and funding

Hosted by Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear of Instituto Superior Técnico, funded by the Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia [UID/FIS/50010/2013 + PTDC/CTM-ENE/2892/2014 + PTDC/CTM-ENE/1087/2014]  and RADIATE [H2020-INFRAIA-2018-01: Research and Development with Ion Beams - Advancing Technology in Europe].

Contacts

Any request for information about the project should be addressed to
Dr. Eduardo Alves
  ealves at tecnico.ulisboa.pt

Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear
Instituto Superior Técnico
Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear
Estrada Nacional 10 (km 139,7)
2695-066 Bobadela LRS - Portugal