A Turkish SME has developed a technology to produce very high performance selective surface coatings that can be used in solar thermal conversion devices. Its unique properties result in both operational and cost effectiveness. Additionally, the coating, which can be performed on metal foils, allows re-gaining of absorber layer during recycling. The company is open to licensing, commercial agreements with technical assistance, joint venture and manufacturing agreements.

Selective surface layers are the most important components of solar thermal conversion devices such as solar collectors and they need to be produced economically. There are many techniques to produce selective surfaces. There are vacuum processes such as evaporation, sputtering, chemical vapour deposition etc. as well as simpler processes such as screen printing, spraying or even simple painting. The selective layer has to also adhere to the substrate very well due to high thermal stresses, temperatures, thermal cycles, long time exposure to UV radiation and air exposure. The main performance criteria for the selective layers are to have very high absorbance and very low emission simultaneously. Besides these properties, the spectral transition between high absorption and low emission should be fairly sharp. 

The firm has developed an excellent performance selective layer using electro chemical manufacturing allowing for roll-to-roll production on metal foils such as copper, aluminium or steel in a very cost effective way. The nickel-based absorber layer is deposited using nano-techniques. The selective layer provides very high efficiency solar thermal conversion at significantly lower costs.

The process also enables re-gaining of absorber material during recycling of products at end of the life cycle.  Source: EEN