Courtesy of 3M

A highly reflective thin film made of microlayers of silver and copper, protected by a polymer and backed with adhesive, could cut the cost of solar thermal power plants by hundreds of millions of dollars. In most such plants, glass mirrors concentrate heat from the sun to create steam that spins conventional turbines. The thin film--which replaces those mirrors--reflects more light, increasing power output.

Product: 3M Solar Mirror Film

Cost: $20 per square meter

Availability: Spring 2010

Source: www.3m.com

Company: 3M

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