Power generation and longevity improvement of renewable energy systems via slippery surfaces – A review

• Published in: Renewable energy 2019-12, Vol.143, p.922-938
• Main Authors: Gulfam, Raza, Zhang, Peng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bio-inspiration; Device longevity; Green technology; Phase change materials; Power generation; Superhydrophobic surfaces
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.05.055

Renewable energy systems have become an integral part of the energy grid, necessitating the self-cleaning shields and green energy management strategies. The critical issues related to compatibility and service-life of energy devices have been lingering on since the birth till date. And because of the less-immune surfaces of energy devices against environmental dust, dirt, water, fog, ice, bio-organisms and salts, etc., the power and longevity losses are comparatively foreseeable even in the years to come. This review has twofold objectives: promoting the concept of bioinspired slippery technology to protect and improve the power generation of energy devices, and unveiling the development and design rationale of bioinspired slippery surfaces fabricated by phase change materials. Meanwhile, the pros and cons of these slippery surfaces have been emphasized along with a critical appraisal, serving to identify the advanced features of phase change materials versus phase invariant materials. •Slippery surfaces raise the power generation of renewable energy systems.•Slippery surfaces have a huge potential to protect renewable energy systems.•Natural waxes and paraffin waxes are the green slippery materials.•Applications of green slippery materials need worldwide attention at larger scales.