The sun is an attractive source of renewable energy, yet we use hardly any of it. In 2010, just 17 terawatts of solar energy was harvested worldwide – less than 0.02% of the amount available.
Despite the sheer magnitude of energy available, solar energy reaching the earth’s surface is typically considered ‘low grade’.
Fortunately, a number of solar concentrating devices are available to help convert solar energy into a more potent form. But once that energy is so concentrated, we need to be able to capture and store it.
Current methods of capturing solar energy typically use flow receivers. The concentrated solar energy falls on a tube through which a fluid is flowing. It heats the fluid, which can then pass that heat on elsewhere, and eventually be used to generate electricity.
A more promising capture method for concentrated solar power plants, called volumetric absorption, uses the material both to capture and transport concentrated energy.
Because of this dual function, volumetric absorption presents an opportunity to reduce the energy losses and improve energy efficiency above that of current flow receiver methods.
The challenge is how to get the volumetric absorption material to absorb as much energy as possible, without impinging on its other necessary functions.
Nanoscience offers some enticing possibilities. Nanofluids – suspensions of nanoparticles in fluids – have great potential as volumetric solar absorbers.
The nanoparticles, if selected correctly, can convert light energy from the sun to thermal energy within the fluid that contains them. Even very small quantities of nanoparticles are able to absorb nearly all of the incident solar radiation.
Employing nanofluids in volumetric receivers would provide flexibility in that the optical properties can be tuned to ensure optimum absorption of light energy.
As part of my thesis research at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, I am exploring ways to optimise nanofluid-based volumetric solar receivers.
Volumetric receivers can be separated into two broad components: the absorbing medium, and the housing that contains it.
We are looking to improve energy efficiency in both by assessing the impact of various alterations.
In the housing component, we are looking at how changing the shape and changing the materials affects the overall performance.
We also have found improvements when we tune the optical properties by adjusting the fraction of nanoparticles within the absorption material.
It is our hope that this research will contribute to enhancing humankind’s ability to capitalise on the ready supply of solar energy our planet receives.
We are continuing our research in this regard with experimental characterisation to find the best nanofluid for solar absorption with the goal of providing insight into properties that current theories can’t predict.
We are also looking at developing nanofluids that can efficiently absorb solar energy, as well storing the resulting thermal energy.
Our vision is to use nanofluids to harness and store the immense energy presented by the sun, thereby contributing to Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy goals, and the clean energy needs of the world at large.
Luqmaan Habib is a master’s student of mechanical engineering at the Masdar Institute. Dr Yousef Shatilla is professor of mechanical engineering and dean of academic programmes at the Masdar Institute. Dr Mohamed Ibrahim Hassan Ali is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs: 2018 Ford F-150
Price, base / as tested: Dh173,250 / Dh178,500
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 395hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 555Nm @ 2,750rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 12.4L / 100km
Company%20Profile
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Company%20profile
%3Cp%3EDate%20started%3A%20January%202022%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Omar%20Abu%20Innab%2C%20Silvia%20Eldawi%2C%20Walid%20Shihabi%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20PropTech%20%2F%20investment%3Cbr%3EEmployees%3A%2040%3Cbr%3EStage%3A%20Seed%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Multiple%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cargoz%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Premlal%20Pullisserry%20and%20Lijo%20Antony%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2030%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
FIXTURES
All kick-off times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday
Sevilla v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad (7.15pm)
Eibar v Valencia (9.30pm)
Atletico Madrid v Alaves (11.45pm)
Sunday
Girona v Getafe (3pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7.15pm)
Las Palmas v Espanyol (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Deportivo la Coruna (11.45pm)
Monday
Malaga v Real Betis (midnight)
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
No%20Windmills%20in%20Basra
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Diaa%20Jubaili%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPages%3A%20180%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EPublisher%3A%20Deep%20Vellum%20Publishing%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A