ETH Zurich Researcher Develops Cost-Effective Solar Thermal Collector for Industry
Luca Thommen, a Pioneer Fellow at ETH Zurich, has built a prototype solar thermal collector that concentrates sunlight to heat air or water up to 150 °C, suitable for industrial processes such as pasteurisation and CO₂ capture. The collector uses inexpensive materials and a simple design to achieve target temperatures, demonstrating feasibility for replacing fossil‑fuel heat in food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Industry partners, including Climeworks, have expressed interest in the technology.
Luca Thommen, a Pioneer Fellow at ETH Zurich, has built a prototype solar thermal collector that concentrates sunlight to heat air or water up to 150 °C, suitable for industrial processes such as pasteurisation and CO₂ capture. The collector uses inexpensive materials and a simple design to achieve target temperatures, demonstrating feasibility for replacing fossil‑fuel heat in food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Industry partners, including Climeworks, have expressed interest in the technology.
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