Multi-layer solar harvesting nanofilms by roll-to-roll fabrication

当前的主要挑战之一是如何以低成本生产具有光学质量的多层薄膜。该项目的战略性质来自于通过开发一种新的高速纳米纤维方法来增强我们的聚合物行业的独特机会，这种方法可以制造这些可以控制光传输和热流的多层薄膜。这些涂覆的材料将充当光学开关，其是热致变色的，即它们在限定的临界温度下改变其吸收特性，这将基于最终用途应用是可调谐的。这将需要开发基于钒和其他V双金属的新型六聚体金属醇盐结构单元，其表现出低的热致变色行为。这些材料必须在瞬时时间范围内生长以实现高速沉积，同时具有独特的取向形态，包括纳米线和纳米管，以增强光学和界面性能。 此外，石墨烯和碳/二氧化硅气凝胶前体可以连接到这些金属醇盐结构单元，以提供增强的光捕获和热传导。

One of the current major challenges is how to produce multi-layer thin films of optical quality at low cost. The strategic nature of this project comes from the unique opportunity to enhance our polymer industry by developing a new high speed nanofabrication approach for making these multi-layer films that can control both light transmission and heat flow. These coated materials will act as optical switches, which are thermochromic, i.e. they change their absorbance properties at a defined critical temperature, which will be tuneable based on end-use application. This will entail developing novel hexamer metal alkoxide building blocks based on Vanadium and other V bimetallics, that exhibit low hysteresic thermochromic behaviour. These materials must grow in instantaneous time frames for high speed deposition, while having unique oriented morphologies including nanowires and nanotubes to enhance optical and interfacial properties. In addition, graphene and carbon/silica aerogel precursors can be attached to these metal alkoxide building blocks, to provide enhanced optical trapping and heat conduction.