• Energy Research
• Embargo close
• IT close
• University Federico II of Naples close

Industrial heat and cooling applications are an essential fraction of the overall energy demand, mainly produced by fossil fuels. Solar thermal energy production can satisfy such a need by adopting the High Vacuum Flat Plate Collectors (HVFPCs) and increasing their efficiency. The absorptance and emittance of Selective Solar Absorbers (SSAs) determine the thermal efficiency of HVFPCs. Being the absorptance already maximized, the thermal emittance of the absorber should be minimized to increase further the operating temperature of the collector and its efficiency. This research aims to reduce the thermal emittance of commercially available Selective Solar Absorber by depositing a thin silver film on the aluminium substrate. So, in this work, the thermal stability of a silver coating has been investigated, and a diffusion barrier layer has been adopted to stabilize the coating performance up to 360 degrees C. The low-emissive layer of Ag and a diffusion barrier of CrOx guarantees a decrease of 11% in thermal emittance at 200 degrees C of commercially available SSA deposited on aluminium. Further emittance reduction can be obtained by depositing a thin Ag film on both sides of the aluminium substrate before the SSA deposition, proving to be a promising way to enhance the efficiency of HVFPCs.

The debate surrounding the Farm to Fork Strategy and the European Green Deal with the new sustainability standards proposed by the European Commission to achieve a more sustainable food system and climate-neutral continent by 2050 is increasing concerns and questions among different stakeholders along the food chain and third countries that will be impacted by these measures, if adopted. This analysis aims to expand the debate studying the different perspectives on the relationship food security/sustainability of the European Union and the African Union through the framing of the documents produced by these institutions since 2007. The results show differences in the approach about this relationship seen by the European Union as a long-term goal that looks at the protection of the environment and natural resources while the production changes to be more resilient to external shocks and market fluctuations. Meanwhile, the African Union uses a short-term approach due to the urgency felt by the continental unique environment that makes production development and adapting a priority over environmental issues. These differences need to be targeted to avoid current and future divergences that could impact on the application of the aforementioned standards and to ensure food for all without compromising the future of our ecosystems.

Photovoltachromic devices combine photovoltaic and electrochromic behaviours to enable adjustable transparency glazing, where the photovoltaic component supplies the power to drive the coloration.