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Tag: Hydrogel

  • Hydrogel Coating Improves the Efficiency of Solar Panel Power Output

    Hydrogel Coating Improves the Efficiency of Solar Panel Power Output

    PolyU develops hydrogel coating for solar panels, boosting power generation efficiency towards urban carbon neutrality. Image Credits: polyu

    A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has created a low-cost, easy-to-apply hydrogel coating that improves heat dissipation in solar panels by effectively cooling “hot spots,” while also boosting power generation efficiency and contributing to Hong Kong’s urban carbon-neutrality goals.

    Hot spots, often caused by partial shading, significantly reduce solar panel efficiency and can destabilize power supply systems. This innovation from PolyU provides a strong and effective solution to this critical industry challenge.

    PolyU Develops Hydrogel to Enhance Solar Panel Efficiency

    The hydrogel cooling technology was developed by a PolyU team led by Prof. Yan Jerry, Chair Professor of Energy and Buildings, along with Dr. Liu Junwei, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering. Their research demonstrated that applying the hydrogel coating to solar panels can reduce hot-spot temperatures by up to 16°C and increase power output by as much as 13%.

    When used on rooftop and building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems, the hydrogel coating is expected to offset nearly half of the power losses caused by hot spots, greatly enhancing the long-term stability and efficiency of solar PV systems for building electricity supply.

    PolyU develops hydrogel coating for solar panels, boosting power generation efficiency towards urban carbon neutrality. Image Credits: polyu

    Prof. Yan said, Our hydrogel cooling tech solves hot-spot issues in solar panels without altering circuit designs. It is both cost-effective and easy to use, making it suitable for diverse urban environments. Based on case studies in Hong Kong and Singapore, our team projects potential annual power generation increases of 6.5% and 7.0%, respectively.

    “The estimated payback periods are impressively short, at just 4.5 years and 3.2 years. Globally, this technology could offset around 50% of power losses caused by hot spots in BIPV systems, highlighting its significant role in advancing solar energy technology.”

    Durable Hydrogel Boosts Solar Panel Performance

    Hot spots in solar photovoltaic systems warrant serious attention, as they not only reduce efficiency due to higher operating temperatures but can also create fire hazards in severe cases. Research examining 3.3 million photovoltaic panels found that 36.5% had thermal defects, with affected modules showing an average temperature rise of over 21°C, accelerating panel aging and degradation.

    “The PolyU hydrogel coating provides superior cooling performance while exhibiting exceptional durability, making it ideal for extended outdoor applications.”

    PolyU develops hydrogel coating for solar panels, boosting power generation efficiency towards urban carbon neutrality. Image Credits: polyu

    Dr. Liu explained, Our team incorporated the natural polymer hydroxyethyl cellulose and the fibrous material leafy cotton thread into the hydrogel matrix to tackle the key issues of cracking and shrinkage that typically affect conventional hydrogels over time. While traditional hydrogels can shrink by as much as 46% with prolonged use, our innovation greatly reduces cracking and shrinkage, limiting volumetric shrinkage to 34%.

    “Moving forward, we aim to build on this hydrogel evaporative cooling technology to further the development and wider adoption of emerging photovoltaic technologies.”

    Read the original article on: Tech Xplore

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  • Hydrogel Absorbs Cosmic Rays to Shield Astronauts in Space

    Hydrogel Absorbs Cosmic Rays to Shield Astronauts in Space

    Hydrogel is commonly found in everyday items like contact lenses, burn dressings, and hair gel. In the future, it could also serve as a protective barrier against harmful cosmic radiation for astronauts on long-duration space missions.
    Illustration of cosmic rays striking Earth’s magnetic field
    ESA

    Hydrogel is commonly found in everyday items like contact lenses, burn dressings, and hair gel. In the future, it could also serve as a protective barrier against harmful cosmic radiation for astronauts on long-duration space missions.

    Radiation exposure is a significant risk in space travel. Beyond Earth’s atmosphere, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) receive approximately 72 millisieverts (mSv) of cosmic radiation over a six-month mission—comparable to several years’ worth of exposure on Earth.

    Increased Radiation Risks on a Mars Mission

    The risk is even greater on a planned mission to Mars, where the spacecraft will travel beyond Earth’s protective magnetic field. Over a three-year journey, the crew could be exposed to more than 1,000 mSv of radiation—nearly 200 times the amount experienced on Earth.

    Space radiation infographic
    ESA

    Increasing speed can help reduce radiation exposure, but the primary defense is an effective shield that absorbs harmful radiation. Water, with its density and abundance of hydrogen atoms, is particularly good at this. Lining a spacecraft with water tanks would be a simple solution.

    Challenges of Using Liquid Water as Shielding

    However, water’s liquid state presents challenges. Under gravity, it can shift unpredictably, and in microgravity, it moves freely, creating gaps in protection. Even worse, leaks could lead to serious issues, from short-circuiting electrical systems to the unusual risk of astronauts drowning in space.

    Researchers at Ghent University’s Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group (PBM) propose a solution: trapping water inside a highly absorbent super-absorbent polymer (SAP). This material rapidly soaks up water, expanding to several hundred times its dry weight to form a hydrogel. By using 3D printing, this hydrogel can be shaped into effective radiation shielding.

    Hydrogel absorbing water
    ESA

    Hydrogel for Spacecraft and Spacesuit Protection

    According to the European Space Agency (ESA), this hydrogel could serve as a stable, leak-proof shield for spacecraft and even be incorporated into spacesuits. This is crucial since a well-shielded spacecraft offers little protection once an astronaut steps outside. A suit lined with hydrogel would enable longer spacewalks and planetary EVAs. Even if punctured, the material would stay in place, giving the wearer time to return to safety. It could also potentially function as a self-sealing barrier, similar to the technology used in military aircraft fuel tanks.

    “There is an ongoing search for lightweight radiation protection materials,” said Peter Dubruel. “In our Discovery activity, we successfully demonstrated that hydrogels are safe for use in space. Now, in this follow-up project, we are exploring different techniques to shape the material into 3D structures and scale up production, bringing us closer to industrial application.”

    Read the original article on: New Atlas

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