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scientist have used solar power to heat an object to 1,800 degree Fahrenheit ( 1,000 degrees Anders Celsius ) — hot enough to power a steel furnace . The proof - of - construct survey , published May 15 in the journalDevice , demonstrates how solar vim could supercede fossil fuels in high - temperature manufacture processes , such as smelt steel .
To manufacture materials like glass , cement and ceramics , new materials are inflame to above 1,800 F ( 1,000 C ) . Currently , using solar energy to reach out these scorching temperatures is costly and inefficient , so carbon - base energy like oil or coal are typically used to power the furnaces in which these materials are made .
Scientists used solar radiation to heat an object to a scorching 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (1,000 degrees Celsius).
These industriousness are responsible for around 25 % of global energy consumption , researchers pen in the bailiwick .
" To tackle climate change , we postulate to decarbonize energy in general , " corresponding authorEmiliano Casati , a scientist in the department of mechanical and process technology at ETH Zurich in Switzerland , said in astatement . " the great unwashed incline to only think about electrical energy as energy , but in fact , about half of the vigour is used in the anatomy of heat . "
Scientists havepreviously exploredsolar receivers , or heating system that convert solar radiotherapy into heat via Dominicus - tracking mirror , but that technology fight to break the 1,800 F roadblock .
In the unexampled cogitation , Casati and his squad draw upon a belongings called the thermal - trap effect . Essentially , semi - vaporous material strongly absorb sunlight , re - emitting it as heat .
So the researchers shined incomingsolar radiationonto a synthetic lechatelierite rod that trapped the heat . They then sequester it to an opaque atomic number 14 dish , which absorbed the heat from the crystal .
When the incoming luminosity shine with the intensity 135 Sun , the absorber plate climbed to 1,922 F ( 1,050 carbon ) , while the vitreous silica rod stay at 1,112 F ( 600 C ) .
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Previous oeuvre , which did n’t use semisynthetic quartz to ensnare solar energy , only demonstrated the thermal - lying in wait effect up to 338 F ( 170 C ) , consort to the statement .
In follow - up work , the researchers tested different materials , admit liquids and gases that can play as thermal traps , and managed to reach even hot temperatures , according to the statement .
Next , the researchers will in all probability wait at how this applied science can be used on a larger scale to give it a higher chance of being adopted across industries .
" Solar DOE is readily available , and the technology is already here . To really motivate industry espousal , we need to demonstrate the economic viability and reward of this applied science at graduated table , " Casati said .
