Solar thermal energy conversion and utilization—New research horizon

Solar energy is abundantly present in most parts of the world where there are human activities. The vast abundance and inexhaustibility solar energy, when coupled with low carbon footprint its utilization comparison to fossil fuels, makes a very compelling source solving our grand challenges especially contemporary context global warming. Studies have projected life-cycle emissions from power be 4–12 gCO2eq/kWh, which sharp contrast 400–1000 gCO2eq/kWh fuels. Recent rise thermal conversion fueled by re-emergency also recognition importance many low-grade heat driven processes exemplified an almost exponential growth research efforts on photothermal material-assisted based water evaporation distillation past 8 years. Satisfactory materials, combined proper structural design, able effectively capture light efficiently convert heat. Various materials strong absorbance entire spectrum (250–2500 nm) been intensively investigated past, including carbon-based metals, metal oxides, polymers. absorbed induces electric field inside crystals turn drives mobile carries generate In absorption, light-to-heat performance receives much less attention, not due lack but fact that possess high efficiency. As matter fact, pushed efficiency close theoretical limit reported works. generated has utilized kinds exciting applications, such as clean production advanced distillation, electricity generation, atmospheric harvesting (AWH), so forth. For instance, for both powered AWH processes, they need any moving parts, electronic devices, high-pressure operations, make them low-cost attractive decentralized freshwater unconventional sources point-of-consumption (POC). Thanks development materials/structures loss management strategies, drastically improved, leading some unprecedented rates being small-scale devices. However, like all other renewable (e.g., hydropower, wind, geothermal bioenergy), own inherent shortcoming: limited fluctuated power. It therefore understandable complaint against often areal intensity addition intermittency, necessitates use large land areas form utilization. While irradiance 1000 W/m2 used typical standard real typically below this value, varying significantly within daily cycle affected considerably local weather conditions. Therefore, always well-justified reasons further improve process. From perspective, waste recycling currently among pursued strategies. On hand, applications still at infant stage significant barriers standing between status quo scale practical call investigate issues, material cost stability longevity operation. Last least, identifying new niche painstakingly maximizes value outperforms conventional counterparts horizon. With general background, we pleased you special issue Thermal Energy Conversion Utilization, assembles articles 4 reviews. These papers cover topics effective and/or functional (Alketbi, S. et al.; Wang, Y. Guo, Hu, Singh Guo) forward looking applications: autonomous ocean farm (Guo, al.), soil moisture (Zhang, M. volatile organic compound (VOC) removal during (M, J. hydrogen T. solar-driven decontamination (Wu, P. stable brine (Kunjaram, U. treatment controlled salt excretion (Xia, receivers concentrated generation (Nie, F. al.). sincere hope can help readers gasp latest developments it would inspire more passions devote themselves important endeavor. authors declare no conflict interest. Peng Wang faculty member Hong Kong Polytechnic University King Abdullah Science Technology (KAUST) Saudi Arabia. His interest technologies sustainable water-energy-food nexus. He published three academic books than 110 peer-reviewed prestigious journals, Nature Sustainability, Communications, Joule, Environmental Science, ES&T, JACS, Angew Chemie, Dr. obtained his bachelor Nanjing University, received MS Sun-Yat Sen PhD California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). joined KAUST 2009 founding was program chair Engineering 2013 2017. serves Advisory Committee Water Supply Kong. Fellow Royal Society Chemistry (FRSC). “Distinguished Alumni Award” Zijin Quanxing Foundation 2021. recipient 9th Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Prize (PSIPW) category alternative resources (2020). Nanova Frontier Research Award Chinese-American Professors (CAPEES) 2020. Executive Editor Associate & (ES&T). Jia Zhu Professor College Applied Sciences, University. scientific area nanophotonics nanoscale transfer. Physics Electrical Stanford worked postdoctoral fellow Berkeley Lawrence National Lab. several awards including: Explorer (2020), NSFC Young Investigator (2019), Tan Kah Kee Scientist (2018), OSA (2017), Dupont (2016), MIT Tech Review TR35 award (2016). over 100 journals (Nature, series, Review, Advances, PNAS, etc.). delivered 50 keynote/invited talks institutions international conferences. Optical (OSA), Chemistry, managing editor Nanophotonics, editorial board members Advanced Photonics Nano Research.