Developing Transparent Selectively Permeable Heat Mirrors

世界能源消耗的绝大部分来自化石燃料的燃烧，这对环境造成了危害。解决方案之一是改用太阳能。太阳以宽带辐射的形式提供了丰富的能量来源。然而，将太阳辐射转化为电能、热能和燃料等有用的能源是很困难的。该研究项目的重点是开发一种名为透明选择性渗透热镜（TSPHM）的新型材料，这种材料能够控制太阳辐射、热量和化学物质的流动，并可用于促进太阳能转换。******研究计划的性质：透明热镜用于控制空间中两个区域之间的太阳和热辐射通量。另一方面，选择性透膜用于控制化学物质的通量。在这个研究项目中开发的TSPHM将通过设计太阳和热辐射的通量以及两个区域之间化学物质的通量提供一种工程手段。也就是说，TSPHM对太阳辐射具有较高的透明度，对热辐射具有较高的反射率，对O2、CO2和H2O等不同物质具有选择性的渗透性。该研究计划的长期目标是开发TSPHM，并展示其在能源密集型太阳能驱动过程中的应用。******研究计划的意义：TSPHM将促进一系列可持续能源技术的改进，包括二氧化碳捕获和利用、海水淡化和太阳能干燥系统。该研究项目还将为多功能纳米结构材料的设计和制造提供有用的新知识。******预期成果：该研究计划将(i)推进我们对多孔和多相材料光子特性的结构-性质关系的理解，（ii）提供有关多孔纳米结构薄膜的制造方法的见解，这些薄膜旨在控制太阳光子和热光子以及化学物质的通量，（iii）为15名高素质人员（HQP）提供培训。HQP将提供广泛的知识、经验和技能，可用于设计和制造新型多孔和/或多相光子材料，目标是针对可持续能源技术的众多应用。******对加拿大的潜在好处：从研究项目中获得的知识有可能为加拿大工业提供有关材料的基础知识，这些知识将推动可再生能源领域具有战略意义的重要技术。该研究项目的目标应用是水净化和二氧化碳利用，与加拿大的清洁技术研究战略是一致的。

The vast majority of the world's energy consumption is derived from burning fossil fuels, which has caused harm to the environment. One solution is to switch to solar energy. The sun provides an abundant source of energy in the form of broadband radiation. However, it is difficult to transform solar radiation into useful forms of energy such as electricity, heat, and fuels. This research program focuses on developing a new class of materials called Transparent Selectively Permeable Heat Mirrors (TSPHM), which are capable of controlling the flow of solar radiation, heat, and chemicals, and can be used to facilitate solar energy conversion.******Nature of the Research Program: Transparent heat mirrors are used to control the flux of solar and thermal radiation between two regions in space. On the other hand, selectively permeable membranes are used to control the flux of chemical species. The TSPHM developed in this research program will provide a means of engineering by design the flux of solar and thermal radiation AND the flux of chemical species between two regions. That is, TSPHM will exhibit a high degree of transparency to solar radiation, a high reflectivity to thermal radiation, and selective permeability towards different species such as O2, CO2, and H2O vapor. The long-term objective of the research program is to develop TSPHM and demonstrate their applications in energy intensive solar-driven processes. ******Significance of the Research Program: TSPHM will enable the improvement of a broad range of sustainable energy technologies including CO2 capture and utilization, water desalination, and solar-powered drying systems. The research program will also provide new knowledge that will be useful for the design and fabrication of multi-functional nanostructured materials.******Anticipated Outcomes: This research program will (i) advance our understanding of the structure-property relationship of the photonic properties of porous and multi-phase materials, (ii) provide insight about fabrication methods for porous nanostructured films that are designed to control the flux of solar and thermal photons as well as chemical species, and (iii) provide training for 15 highly qualified personnel (HQP). HQP will be provided with an extensive set of knowledge, experience and skills that can be used to design and fabricate novel porous and/or multiphase photonic materials targeting numerous applications with emphasis on sustainable energy technologies. ******Potential Benefits to Canada: The knowledge acquired from the research program has potential to provide Canadian industries with foundational knowledge about materials that will advance strategically important technologies in the renewable energy sector. With target applications such as water purification and CO2 utilization, this research program is consistent with Canada's clean technologies research strategy.