Nanomaterials describe, in principle, materials of which a single unit is sized (in at least one dimension) between 1 to 1000 nanometres (10−9 meter) but usually is 1 to 100 nm (the usual definition of nanoscale).
Harnessing the sun’s heat is normally achieved with metal-based systems. EU-funded scientists developed polymeric solar thermal concepts to meet building heating needs at significantly reduced cost.