Page 314 - AWSAR 2.0

290 || AWSAR Awarded Popular Science Stories - 2019
light. The CNTs used are good absorbers of light in visible range whereas Fe has been observed to be an efficient absorber in NIR range. ZnO nanorods are used to adhere both CNTs and Fe nanoparticles together and increase their efficiency of absorbance in UV- visible NIR range of light as a
whole complex.
Further, the top layer is
textured to conical pillars in
order to increase absorbing
efficiency of the assembly by
introducing multiple scattering
along with incorporation of
hydrophobic properties in it.
This hydrophobic, that is, water
repellent property has derived
its inspiration from lotus leaf (Fig
1c). One might have witnessed
beautiful sparkling crystal like
water droplets on lotus leaf
which do not get absorbed
but rather roll off the surface.
This amazing phenomenon of nature has inspired the author to design the surface of the material mimicking a lotus leaf to impart self- cleaning and corrosion resistant properties to the material expanding its utilization in self- cleaning applications.
As the world is progressing fast, our energy sources are depleting at a rapid pace. Therefore, for the survival of our next generations we need to move towards renewable and sustainable resources of energy. One of this indefinite source of energy
is the sun. To harness this solar energy, Solar cells have emerged as a dependable substitutes to meet the need for future. Presently, available materials used to make these solar collectors have a low efficiency. Thus, the author gets his motivation from the need to introduce a material that can increase this efficiency which, in turn, reduces the cost. Currently, the research focuses on tailoring the developed near-perfect absorber material to make Quantum Dot based solar collectors, which can
absorb maximum light falling on it irrespective of angle and direction. The author is working in the direction of making a solar collector by using its developed material to achieve the advantage of its applicability to any type of curved surface. The ease of fabrication and the
Fig. Passive camouflage with carbon nanotubes
The CNTs used are good absorbers of light in visible range whereas Fe has been observed to be an efficient absorber in NIR range. ZnO nanorods are used to adhere both CNTs and Fe nanoparticles together and increase their efficiency of absorbance in UV- visible NIR range of light as a whole complex.