Fig. 1
From: Dynamic tuning of optical absorbers for accelerated solar-thermal energy storage
Solar-thermal energy storage within phase-change material composites. a Thermal-diffusion-based thermal charging. The incident light was converted into thermal energy by a black absorber film to charge thermal storage composites through thermal diffusion. Movement of charging interface was limited by slow thermal diffusion. b Photon-transport-based optical charging. The quick attenuation of incident light in the charged (liquid) state limits further light penetration. Movement of the charging interface was limited by attenuated photon transport. c Magnetically enhanced photon-transport-based optical charging. The dynamic removal of the optical absorbers from the optical charging path enables continuous photothermal conversion at the charging interface. Movement of charging interface was accelerated by the dynamic tuning of the distribution of the optical absorbers
