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Machine learning-optimized graphene-integrated refractory metasurface for broadband solar energy harvesting
Hussein A Elsayed1, Emad Solouma2, Jacob Wekalao3
1Department of Physics, College of Science, University of Ha'il, P. O. Box 2440, Ha'il, Saudi Arabia.
Scientific Reports
|May 4, 2026
Summary
A new graphene metasurface absorber achieves near-unity broadband solar absorption for thermal energy conversion. It offers tunable spectral performance via electrostatic control, demonstrating high efficiency and thermal robustness.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optics
Background:
- Solar thermal energy conversion requires efficient broadband absorbers.
- Metasurfaces offer tailored optical properties but often lack tunability and thermal stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and analyze a graphene-integrated refractory metasurface absorber for enhanced solar thermal energy conversion.
- To achieve broadband absorptance and spectral tunability without structural modification.
Main Methods:
- Utilized three mechanisms: impedance matching, transmission suppression, and resonant energy dissipation.
- Employed electrostatic modulation of graphene Fermi level for spectral tuning.
- Performed full-wave simulations (COMSOL Multiphysics) and developed a surrogate model (random forest regression).
Main Results:
- Achieved near-unity broadband absorptance (300-2500 nm) with a solar-weighted average of 98.6%.
- Demonstrated spectral tunability through graphene's optical conductivity modulation.
- Identified optimal dielectric substrate thickness (~4.1 μm) for reduced thermal losses.
Conclusions:
- The graphene metasurface absorber is highly effective for broadband solar thermal energy conversion.
- Electrostatic tuning provides a pathway for dynamic control of absorption spectra.
- The design shows promise for high-temperature applications due to thermal robustness.
