Diagnostics included
Commercial production for a self-cleaning coating
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Solar cells made of carbon nanotubes
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solar cell made of carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber has been demonstrated by researchers from Fudan University (Shanghai; www.fudan.edu.cn). University professor Huisheng Peng says, “For the fibers we use, the carbon nanotubes exhibit a high degree of alignment with much improved mechanical and electrical properties. Therefore those fibers greatly enhance the short current density, open voltage, and the energy conversion efficiency of solar cells.” Also, the fibers are ultralight and flexible, and may see applications not possible with conventional solar cells. The researchers used polydiacetylene-CNT-composite fibers. Peng says high-resolution transmission electron microscopy indicated a multiwalled structure for the building nanotubes with a diameter of about 8.5 nm. “Our nanotube fibers exhibit much higher specific strength and specific stiffness than current engineering fibers. For example, the specific strength of a nanotube fiber is 2.9 times that of T1000 — the strongest commercial fiber — and the specific stiffness is 3.9 times that of M70J — the stiffest commercial fiber,” he says. The reseachers found that the properties of CNT fibers are strongly dependent on the lengths of the nanotubes. The spinnable nanotubes they are now using are shorter than 1 mm. They will now try to make longer nanotubes. Peng says the solar cells could see application in aerospace as in foldable solar panels or in photovoltaic skins, since they could be easily woven into clothes.
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ast month, PJI Contract Pte Ltd. (Singapore; www.pjicon.com.sg) opened a production facility for the manufacture of titanium dioxide solution — a self-cleaning, nanocoating material developed at Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech; www.simtech.astar.edu.sg), a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star; Singapore; www.a-star. edu.sg). PJI Contract has licensed the patented TiO2 manufacturing process from A*Star, and has already applied the self-cleaning coating on the facades of several commercial buildings. The self-cleaning properties of the TiO2 coating technology are derived from the oxidative and hydrophilic nature of the coating. When exposed to sunlight, TiO2 catalyzes the oxidation of organic compounds and microbes. Water is repelled by the hydrophilic coating, and thus washes away dust and dirt. The coating has been recognized by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority’s Green Mark Scheme. In addition to using the technology for self-cleaning coatings for buildings, PJI Contract plans to make the coating available in a spray can for the consumer market. The company anticipates the TiO2 coating will become one of its top-ten revenue generators.