Researchers at Worchester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) are reported to be close to commercializing a means of using the energy-absorbing properties of asphalt as an alternative energy source.
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These researchers are developing a solar collector that could potentially turn sun-heated roads and parking lots into ever-present (and inexpensive) sources of electricity and hot water. So far these tests have taken slabs of asphalt imbedded with thermocouples, which measure heat penetration, and copper pipes to gauge how well that heat could be transferred to say flowing water for example. By pumping water through copper piping embedded in the hot asphalt the water would, of course, absorb the heat in the process. This hot water could then be used without modification for heating buildings or in industrial processes or could be passed through a thermoelectric generator to produce electricity.
Asphalt Energy
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