The present invention relates to a solar selective coating for a metal substrate comprising at least one absorber layer and at least one semi-absorber layer selected from the structures of AlTiN and AlTiSiN. In preferred embodiments, the solar selective coating according to the present invention is a double layer coating with AlTiN—AlTiN or AlTiSiN—AlTiSiN formation. The process for producing the coating includes a step of treatment of the metal substrate with a reactive magnetron sputtering system.

The present invention relates to a solar selective coating for a metal substrate comprising at least one absorber layer and at least one semi-absorber layer selected from the structures of AlTiN and AlTiSiN. In preferred embodiments, the solar selective coating according to the present invention is a double layer coating with AlTiN—AlTiN or AlTiSiN—AlTiSiN formation. The process for producing the coating includes a step of treatment of the metal substrate with a reactive magnetron sputtering system.

A solar heat collector tube in which at least an infrared reflective layer, a sunlight-heat conversion layer and an anti-reflection layer are provided on the outer surface of a tube through the interior of which a heat medium can flow, wherein the infrared reflective layer in the solar heat collector tube is an Ag layer having Nb dispersed therein, the content of Nb being 0.1 at % to 31.8 at %.

A solar heat collector tube in which at least an infrared reflective layer, a sunlight-heat conversion layer and an anti-reflection layer are provided on the outer surface of a tube through the interior of which a heat medium can flow, wherein the infrared reflective layer in the solar heat collector tube is an Ag layer having Nb dispersed therein, the content of Nb being 0.1 at % to 31.8 at %.

The invention provides a SolarHearth, a passive solar heating system that includes a work of art that can be mounted on a building, to bring warmed air into the building. The system includes a heat exchange chamber having a display window that contains the work of art, and is is configured to create a passive solar environment to create a natural vacuum. The system further includes means for moving air through the heat exchange chamber, such as an air plenum or fans.

The invention provides a SolarHearth, a passive solar heating system that includes a work of art that can be mounted on a building, to bring warmed air into the building. The system includes a heat exchange chamber having a display window that contains the work of art, and is is configured to create a passive solar environment to create a natural vacuum. The system further includes means for moving air through the heat exchange chamber, such as an air plenum or fans.

A selectively-absorbing material includes a silicone polymer and transition-metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed therein. Each of the transition-metal oxide nanoparticles includes manganese. A solar receiver includes (i) a metal substrate including an etched surface having a microroughness between 0.05 micrometers and two micrometers; (ii) a polymer matrix disposed on the etched surface; and (iii) transition-metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed within the polymer matrix. A method for producing transition-metal oxide nanoparticles includes recrystallizing a plurality of two-element nanoparticles at a temperature between 300 and 700° C. The plurality of two-element nanoparticles includes at least two of (i) copper oxide nanoparticles, (ii) manganese oxide nanoparticles, and (iii) iron oxide nanoparticles. A method for fabricating a selective-absorber includes etching a top surface of a metal substrate; depositing a polymer-matrix composite on the etched top surface; and interdiffusing the polymer-matrix composite and the metal substrate. The polymer-matrix composite includes transition-metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed therein.

A solar thermal energy device is provided. Also provided is a method of making a solar thermal energy device.

A solar thermal energy device is provided. Also provided is a method of making a solar thermal energy device.

The present invention discloses a radiative cooling device and a method of manufacturing the same. Specifically, the radiative cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a reflective layer formed on a substrate and responsible for reflecting sunlight having wavelengths corresponding to ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared regions; and a radiative cooling layer formed on the reflective layer and responsible for absorbing sunlight having a wavelength corresponding to a mid-infrared region and emitting the sunlight as heat, wherein the radiative cooling layer includes a first radiation layer including an uneven pattern; and a second radiation layer formed on the first radiation layer and having a refractive index different from that of the first radiation layer.