Solar Synthesis of Advanced Materials: A Solar Industrial Program Initiative
This is an initiative for accelerating the use of solar energy in the advanced materials manufacturing industry in the United States. The initiative will be based on government-industry collaborations that will develop the technology and help US industry compete in the rapidly expanding global advanced materials marketplace. Breakthroughs in solar technology over the last 5 years have created exceptional new tools for developing advanced materials. Concentrated sunlight from solar furnaces can produce intensities that approach those on the surface of the sun and can generate temperatures well over 2000{degrees}C. Very thin layers of illuminated surfaces can be driven to remarkably high temperatures in a fraction of a second. Concentrated solar energy can be delivered over large areas, allowing for rapid processing and high production rates. By using this technology, researchers are transforming low-cost raw materials into high-performance products. Solar synthesis of advanced materials uses bulk materials and energy more efficiently, lowers processing costs, and reduces the need for strategic materials -- all with a technology that does not harm the environment. The Solar Industrial Program has built a unique, world class solar furnace at NREL to help meet the growing need for applied research in advanced materials. Many new advanced materials processes have been successfully demonstrated in this facility, including the following: Metalorganic deposition, ceramic powders, diamond-like carbon materials, rapid heat treating, and cladding (hard coating).
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 5351540
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/TP-453-4734; ON: DE92010575
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
MATERIALS
PRODUCTION
SOLAR FURNACES
USES
CARBON
CERAMICS
DEPOSITION
INCONEL 600
POWDERS
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR THERMAL CONVERSION
SYNTHESIS
ALLOY-NI76CR15FE8
ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM ADDITIONS
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CONVERSION
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FURNACES
HEAT RESISTANT MATERIALS
HEAT RESISTING ALLOYS
INCONEL ALLOYS
IRON ALLOYS
NICKEL ALLOYS
NICKEL BASE ALLOYS
NIMONIC
NONMETALS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
TITANIU
TITANIUM ADDITIONS
solar energy
advanced materials
manufacturing
ecomonic potential
140909* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Miscellaneous Solar Applications- (1980-)
360000 - Materials