The invention relates to a composition for producing a solar absorber coating, comprising a silicone resin formulated with: (i) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of black ruthenium oxides and black spinel; and (ii) a glass powder. A method of applying the composition and coatings formed are also provided.

A porphyrine organic framework (“POF”) material is introduced with a one-pot method for photothermal material fabrication. The POF material may be deposited on a support scaffold by reacting a pyrrole by acid-catalyzed dehydration forming a plurality of porphyrin-based covalent organic frameworks particles on the support scaffold.

A method for full spectrum solar thermal energy harvesting and collection includes storing a first heat in a phase change material in the presence of solar radiation based on absorbing full spectrum solar radiation, harvesting a second heat from the phase change material in the presence of solar radiation, storing molecular energy in a molecular storage material in the presence of solar radiation based on absorbing full spectrum solar radiation, transferring the second heat from the phase change material to the molecular storage material in the absence of solar radiation, and harvesting the molecular energy released by the molecular storage material.

The present invention provides a solar absorber incorporated bilayer foam solar evaporator for seawater and wastewater purification including a plurality of solar absorbers partially incorporated into a porous polymer framework and partially forming a thermal insulation layer proximal to solar irradiation. In particular, low-cost commercially available B.sub.4C powders are embedded into a porous polymer foam in a one-pot method to form a scaffold of boron carbide bilayer foam (BCBF) with good hydrophilic wettability, heat-shielding, and solar-thermal conversion. The boron carbide bilayer foam (BCBF) of the present invention enables a high cost-performance seawater desalination and wastewater purification at a high evaporation rate of 2.8 kg/m.sup.2/h with 93% solar evaporation efficiency under 1 sun illumination (or 1 kW/m.sup.2). The present invention thereby provides an excellent and cost-effective solar evaporator tool for industrial-level water purification. Following the present method to prepare the BCBF solar evaporator, the fabrication cost can be as low as 3.6 $/m.sup.2.

The present invention provides a solar absorber incorporated bilayer foam solar evaporator for seawater and wastewater purification including a plurality of solar absorbers partially incorporated into a porous polymer framework and partially forming a thermal insulation layer proximal to solar irradiation. In particular, low-cost commercially available B.sub.4C powders are embedded into a porous polymer foam in a one-pot method to form a scaffold of boron carbide bilayer foam (BCBF) with good hydrophilic wettability, heat-shielding, and solar-thermal conversion. The boron carbide bilayer foam (BCBF) of the present invention enables a high cost-performance seawater desalination and wastewater purification at a high evaporation rate of 2.8 kg/m.sup.2/h with 93% solar evaporation efficiency under 1 sun illumination (or 1 kW/m.sup.2). The present invention thereby provides an excellent and cost-effective solar evaporator tool for industrial-level water purification. Following the present method to prepare the BCBF solar evaporator, the fabrication cost can be as low as 3.6 $/m.sup.2.

A water supply and heating system that includes a flexible water tank, a flexible heating carpet and an electrical connection mechanism. The water tank includes a flexible outer layer and separable inflatable and collapsible water bag. The water bag is equipped with a water inlet and outlet hoses for receiving supplying water. The water bag is positioned inside the outer layer and is designed to remain collapsed when and to inflate when filled with water. The outer layer too is designed to inflate when the water bag is filled with the water and to deflate when the water is drained from the water bag. A dry space is defined between the outer layer and the water bag in which the heating carpet is positioned. The heating carpet includes flexible flat electrical heating strips that are connected to the electrical connection mechanism.

A heat collector device is provided. The heat collector includes an exterior surface exposed to an environment, and an interior surface. Side walls separate the exterior and interior surfaces. A heat insulation interposes the exterior and interior surfaces. Each hot air duct includes a first portion interfacing with the external surface and a second portion interfacing with the heat insulation. Each cold air duct is encompassed by the heat insulation. A first chamber formed by a first side wall provides fluidic communication between the air ducts at a first end portion of each respective duct. A second chamber formed by a second side wall provides fluidic communication between the air ducts at a second end portion of each respective duct. A heat exchange mechanism disposed in the second chamber removes heat from a first fluidic medium of the air ducts, the first chamber, and the second chamber.

A porphyrine organic framework (POF) material is introduced with a one-pot method for photothermal material fabrication. The POF material may be deposited on a porous substrate, such as for solar steam generation.

A solar tower system is disclosed in which the heat transfer media is a molten salt at a temperature greater than 650 C. The components that carry or hold the molten salt are made from commercially available alloys made by Haynes International and sold under the designations HR-120 alloy, 230 alloy and 233 alloy whose compositions are described herein. The molten salt preferably is MgCl.sub.2KCl.

A solar tower system is disclosed in which the heat transfer media is a molten salt at a temperature greater than 650? C. The components that carry or hold the molten salt are made from commercially available alloys made by Haynes International and sold under the designations HR-120? alloy, 230? alloy and 233? alloy whose compositions are described herein. The molten salt preferably is MgCl.sub.2KCl.