IIT Bombay Team Unveil NCFs: 97% Efficient & Low Cost

• Unlock the potential of the sun. Discover how nanostructured hard-carbon florets (NCFs) can absorb 97% of solar radiation, converting it to thermal energy with an efficiency of 186%. The perfect material for solar-thermal conversion.

A new nanomaterial, developed by a team of scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, (IIT Bombay), has the potential to become the go-to material for solar-thermal conversion. Nanostructured hard-carbon florets, or NCFs, is made by depositing carbon onto a substrate of amorphous dendritic fibrous nanosilica (DFNS). This can absorb 97% of ultraviolet, visible and infrared light, converting it into thermal energy. When lined with hollow copper tubes it can heat the air flown through them to over 346K, and can convert water into vapour with an efficiency of 186%. It is five times more efficient than commercial solar stills, and is commercially viable, easily available, and scalable. It can be used for water heating and space heating devices. The team is currently looking to exploit the potential of NCFs and has established a firm, Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), at IIT Bombay for commercial manufacturing.

What Potential Does Nanostructured Hard-Carbon Florets Hold?

• Nanostructured hard-carbon florets (NCFs) can absorb 97% of ultraviolet, visible and infrared light, converting it into thermal energy.
• NCFs can heat the air flown through hollow copper tubes to over 346K, and can convert water into vapour with an efficiency of 186%.
• NCFs heat air and water five times more efficiently than commercial solar stills, making them a viable, easily available and scalable option for both water heating and space heating applications.
• The team has established a firm, Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), at IIT Bombay for commercial manufacturing of NCFs.
• NCFs are expected to open up a range of possibilities for both industry and households, allowing for efficient and affordable solar-thermal conversion.