Sibin Purayil

Biography

Dr. Sibin Kunhi Purayil is a materials scientist specializing in light-matter interaction and advanced thin film technologies. He earned his PhD in Physics from the National Institute of Technology Karnataka, India, where he focused on developing innovative materials for energy applications. Currently, he is part of the Advanced Materials Technology Laboratory, where he advances research on functional coatings and materials for renewable energy technologies.

Dr. Purayil's work explores the manipulation of light through surface modification and the application of metal-metal oxide, polymer, MXene, and graphene thin films for diverse applications. His research has led to significant advancements in areas such as solar absorber coatings, high-temperature-resistant coatings, fractal superhydrophobic surfaces, polymer-based corrosion-resistant coatings, thermal control coatings for space applications, flexible transparent conductors, and wearable thermotherapy devices for medical applications.

He is particularly passionate about promoting the widespread adoption of solar energy harvesting and storage. His interests include advancing solar harvesting methods, developing solar fuels, exploring solar catalytic processes, optimizing thermal energy management, and ensuring the effective integration of solar power into the grid for enhanced utilization.

Research Projects (See Publications for Details)

Fractal-Textured Solar Absorber Coatings for CSP Applications

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is a promising technology to harness solar energy for electricity generation, solar fuels, and industrial heat supply. CSP systems focus sunlight onto a solar absorber receiver using mirrors, converting solar radiation into heat, which is then transferred via heat transfer fluids for applications such as steam turbines or sCO₂ cycles.

Dr. Purayil's work has focused on developing fractal-textured absorber surfaces with enhanced optical and thermal properties. By utilizing thermally stable single and multi-metal oxide coatings, his research has achieved:

• Superior solar absorption and reduced thermal emittance.
• Exceptional thermal stability at temperatures up to 800 °C in air.
• Cost-effective manufacturing processes.

This groundbreaking work has led to patent filings and publications in high-impact journals. The research emphasizes the importance of optimizing solar receiver properties to improve CSP plant efficiency, using both theoretical and experimental approaches.

Thermal Shock and Stability Studies

Dr. Purayil worked with Sandia National Laboratories to conduct thermal shock studies on the developed solar absorber coatings using a high-flux solar furnace at Sandia. This facility employs a heliostat to direct concentrated sunlight onto a mirrored parabolic dish, enabling the investigation of thermophysical properties under extreme conditions. The results demonstrated the coatings’ outstanding thermal endurance, highlighting their potential to surpass current state-of-the-art technologies.

Further, in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), these coatings have undergone extensive testing at high temperatures and across multiple thermal cycles in the High Flux Solar Furnace. The studies aim to validate the coatings' long-term stability and commercial viability, paving the way for their implementation in CSP plants.

Patents

R. Pitchumani and S.K. Purayil, Fractal Textured High Efficiency Solar Absorber Coatings, U.S. Provisional Patent No. 63/329,842, PCT/US23/18223.

Publications

1. K.P. Sibin and R. Pitchumani, “Bimetallic Cobalt-Nickel Oxide Textured Coatings for High-Temperature Concentrated Solar Power,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 1010, 178220, 2025.
2. K.P. Sibin and R. Pitchumani, “Multiscale Textured Solar Absorber Coatings for Next-Generation Concentrating Solar Power,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 207, 114959, 2025.
3. K.P. Sibin, K. Kant, and R. Pitchumani, “High-Temperature Air Stability of Electrodeposited Copper Cobalt Oxide and Copper Manganese Oxide Absorber Coatings for Concentrating Solar Power,” ACS Applied Energy Materials, 6(17), 8759–8774, 2023.
4. K. Kant, K.P. Sibin and R. Pitchumani, “Novel Fractal-textured Solar Absorber Surfaces for Concentrated Solar Power,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 248, 112010, 2022.

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