Midwest Research Institute

Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC

Cheryl E Kennedy

Gary J Jorgensen

David E King

Yvonne D Shinton

Rita M Goggin

Paul O Schissel

Alvin W Czanderna

Improved solar collectors () comprising glass tubing () attached to bellows () by airtight seals () enclose solar absorber tubes () inside an annular evacuated space (. The exterior surfaces of the solar absorber tubes () are coated with improved solar selective coatings {} which provide higher absorbance, lower emittance and resistance to atmospheric oxidation at elevated temperatures. The coatings are multilayered structures comprising solar absorbent layers () applied to the meta surface of the absorber tubes (), typically stainless steel, topped with antireflective Savers () comprising at least two layers) of refractory metal or metalloid oxides (such as titania and silica) with substantially differing indices of refraction in adjacent layers. Optionally, at least one layer of a noble metal such as platinum can be included between some of the layers. The absorbent layers cars include cermet materials comprising particles of metal compounds is a matrix, which can contain oxides of refractory metals or metalloids such as silicon. Reflective layers within the coating layers can comprise refractory metal silicides and related compounds characterized by the formulas TiSi. TiSiC, TiAlSi, TiAN and similar compounds for Zr and Hf. The titania can be characterized by the formulas TiO, TiO. TiOx or TiONwith x 0 to 1. The silica can be at least one of SiO, SiOor SiONwith x=0 to 1.

High temperature solar selective coatings

A protective diffusion barrier having adhesive qualifies for metalized surfaces is provided by a passivating agent having the formula HS--(CH.sub.2).sub.11 --COOH Which forms a very dense, transparent organized molecular assembly or layer that is impervious to water, alkali, and other impurities and corrosive substances that typically attack metal surfaces.

Molecular assemblies as protective barriers and adhesion promotion

A metallized polymer mirror construction having improved durability against delamination and tunneling, comprising: an outer layer of polymeric material; a metal oxide layer underlying the outer layer of polymeric material; a silver reflective layer underneath the metal oxide layer; and a layer of adhesive attaching the silver layer to a substrate.

Durable metallized polymer mirror

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Lafayette, CO, United States of America

Cheryl E Kennedy