Solar Power World

Multiphysics Modeling Analyzes Materials to Revolutionize Solar Energy

Solar collector designs based on polymers replace metal with plastics and offer potential of far lower costs. To analyze these designs, researchers must model factors like heat transfer, structural deformation, and stress. About half of fossil fuels are used in heating, so there is a huge potential in replacing them with renewable sources such as solar power. But standard solar collectors use copper or aluminum as the energy-absorbing material, so if we were to supply just 1%... Read More