A new collaboration between SABIC and VU University Amsterdam has been launched to develop a new solar thermal technology.
This new agreement is designed to develop and commercialise the university’s invention to keep the temperature in solar energy collectors under control, and so allow customers to benefit from lighter weight, more efficient and lower cost solar thermal panels in the future.
As demand for solar energy rises, SABIC and the VU University are collaborating to develop a new, more efficient solar thermal technology to harness sunlight to collect heat. The energy from sunlight generates temperatures in solar energy collectors that often exceed the melting point of plastic materials, requiring the collectors to be constructed from expensive metals and glass that are heavy and restrictive in their design freedom.
The concept developed and patented by VU University uses an ‘optical switch’ by creating a prismatic structure of the thermoplastic panels made from SABIC’s Lexan polycarbonate sheet in such a way that the sunlight can be reflected before the panels get too hot.
Professor Ronald Griessen and Martin Slaman of the department of physics at VU University have been looking for solutions to the problem of overheating in hot water solar collectors and conceived the idea to limit the temperature by the use of geometric surface structures. In their search for an industrial partner, VU Technology Transfer Office came readily to the conclusion that SABIC, as a leading, global supplier of engineering thermoplastics with an 80 year history of breakthrough solutions, provided the ideal collaboration opportunity.
Griessen commented, “The agreement we have entered into is a milestone in the development of this new technology and can revolutionise the way in which solar collectors and similar applications are manufactured in the future. The experience and scope of SABIC will bring a greater level of security to the outcome of this project.”
“Solar thermal energy is one of the most promising and dynamic energy sectors in the world – and growing,” said Elly Burghout, application technology leader of innovative plastics at SABIC. “For SABIC, this invention paves the way for new, practical solutions for our customers and we are very happy that we can support to make solar thermal more effective, practical and affordable through designing with engineered thermoplastics.”
Lexan polycarbonate as base material for solar energy collectors can offer customers ease of use due to its lightweight and greater cost efficiency by replacing metal to consolidate parts, reducing maintenance and simplifying installation. This technology can also be applied to greenhouses.
“It is fantastic that a practical, useful idea relating to sustainability was conceived in an environment of fundamental scientific research”, said Steven Tan, manager technology transfer office VU University & VUmc (Medical Centre). “We are extremely pleased that SABIC has embraced this concept and will develop it through to commercial success.”
The concept has already been awarded the EUREKA Climate prize by the province of North Holland in 2009 which contributed to funding further development together with The Institute for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM).
