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United StatesInnovative Composites for Solar Energy
Industries of solar energy, microelectronics and space research require highly innovative materials that combine performance of light and flexible plastics on one hand, metal reflectivity, electro- and thermal conductivity on the other hand.
The team of scientists participating in ISTC Project K-1117, involving the Institute of Chemical Sciences (Kazakhstan), the Kazakh National University and their partners at University of Montpellier 2 and Paul Cezanne University of Marseille (France) has developed a pilot production line of metallized polyimide films and coating that uses environmentally friendly processes. The technology could be used in collectors and light reflectors for accumulation and solar energy transmission, antennas, but also as chips for microelectronic devices.
The technology includes helio-synthesis of new monomers, their polymerization; polymer processing to film casting with final stage of their metallization. The high distribution nano-grade of metal has exceeded parameters of similar products existing on the market. The metal coating process differs from other similar technologies by its relatively low energy requirements, which assures lower costs. The experimental production line has a capacity of up to 20 meters of metal-coated polymeric films per day at various thicknesses.
Additionally, the researchers plan to perform testing of their prototypes at the Russian segment of the International Space Station.
Outcome: The end commercial products using development results are flexible base/board of electronics and radio-technical devices with long operational life. The thermo-stability and flexibility of the developed polymeric films provide a broad assortment of commercial end products.
