What is the Best Reflective Material for a Solar Cooker?

  • Thread starter LastXdeth
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Material
In summary, the individual is planning to build a solar cooker and is looking for the best reflective material to concentrate the sun's rays into a single point. He mentions that a standard mirror is not flexible enough and is considering using a reflective film. Another person suggests using metallic paint on a dish as a less expensive alternative.
  • #1
LastXdeth
17
0
I am planning to build a http://solarcooking.org/plans/DATS.htm" that van cook food as fast and hot as possible. I was wondering what is the best reflective material for concentrating the sun's rays into a single point.

A standard mirror is obviously the best because it's 100% reflective, but it's not flexible enough considering the satellite shape of the cooker. I was thinking of http://www.cascadelaser.com/mhr2x75.html" .

I was wondering if they're better alternatives.

Thanks!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #2
Just a thought, not sure how well it would work, but if you got some metallic paint, sprayed it onto a dish and polished it to mirror shine it might have properties good enough for what you need.

I think getting 100% would be pretty expensive and unfeasible for this purpose, but some less effective alternatives might just do the trick.
 

1. What is the most reflective material?

The most reflective material is currently believed to be diamond, with a reflectance of over 99.9%. However, this only applies to a specific wavelength of light and other materials may be more reflective at different wavelengths.

2. How is reflectivity measured?

Reflectivity is typically measured using a spectrophotometer, which measures the amount of light that is reflected off of a material at different wavelengths. The higher the percentage of reflected light, the more reflective the material is.

3. Can the reflectivity of a material be changed?

Yes, the reflectivity of a material can be changed by altering its physical properties, such as its surface texture or composition. For example, polishing a surface can increase its reflectivity, while adding a coating can decrease it.

4. What are some common uses of reflective materials?

Reflective materials have a wide range of applications, including in mirrors, solar panels, traffic signs, and clothing for safety purposes. They are also used in scientific experiments and research to direct and manipulate light.

5. Are there any natural materials with high reflectivity?

Yes, there are several natural materials with high reflectivity, such as certain minerals like quartz and calcite, as well as some animal and plant surfaces, like the iridescent wings of butterflies and the leaves of certain plants.

Similar threads

Transformation of solar energy into heat
    • General Engineering
Replies
9
Views
2K
Is a DIY Solar Simulator Feasible for Long-Term Weather Simulation?
    • General Engineering
Replies
11
Views
4K
Optimizing Solar Panel Efficiency: Calculating Sunlight for Maximum Power"
    • General Engineering
Replies
6
Views
5K
Is my fictional Solar System stable and realistic?
    • Sci-Fi Writing and World Building
Replies
21
Views
1K
Reflect Cosmic Rays: Materials for Mirrors
    • Cosmology
Replies
5
Views
2K
What is the best solar efficiency out there?
    • Other Physics Topics
Replies
2
Views
1K
I What is the new source of space radiation discovered near Earth?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
2
Replies
46
Views
9K
Use pressure to increase temperature of solar oven?
    • Thermodynamics
Replies
7
Views
3K
Best Method of Focusing Solar Power
    • Mechanics
Replies
7
Views
2K
What happens to coronal mass ejections?
    • Astronomy and Astrophysics
Replies
7
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top