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Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems have been proposed to make solar photovoltaic systems more attractive. These systems are not only capable of generating electricity, but can also contribute to minimise energy consumption in buildings by providing natural illumination, space and water heating, ventilation and shading. Despite these advantages, one of the issues that still prevents the widespread adoption of BIPV systems is their high capital cost. This paper discusses a novel type of nonimaging optical concentrator that can be used to reduce the capital cost of a BIPV system. This new concentrator, known as rotationally asymmetrical compound parabolic concentrator (RACPC), has a flat entrance aperture that facilitates integration within a double-glazing window and reduces fabrication costs. The RACPC, which has a geometrical concentration of 3.66x, also offers other advantages over conventional solar concentrators: suitability for fenestration, ease of integration with square PV cells, and passive tracking. Several experiments were carried out on a double-glazing solar window incorporating an array of 4x3 concentrator-PV cells. The experiments were carried out indoors under standard test conditions. The results show that the RACPC-PV window effectively increases the short-circuit current by a factor of over 3 at normal incidence when compared with a non-concentrated solar window. The solar window also shows an increase in maximum power generation by a factor of nearly 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology has the prospect to vibrate the imagination of human being and has the ability to be used in almost every sector of human need. With its limitless potentials, there are many environmental, health and safety related concerns due to extremely ambivalent effects of nanoparticles. Studies revealed that nanoparticles can enter the human body through the lungs, intestinal tract, and skin. Therefore, the researchers and workers who handle nanoparticles and nanomaterials can theoretically and primarily be affected, whereas on the consumers this will have secondary effects. This paper aims at sharing and evaluating the investment scenario, present status and recent developments in nanotechnology, with specific focus on nanosafety issues in different research projects and national nanotechnology policies, strategies or roadmap in 6 ASEAN countries i.e. Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. In general, it can safely be inferred that like their western counterparts, though these ASEAN countries have realized the importance of investment and institutional set-ups, and already spent huge amount of money in nanotechnology, the concern for nano risk and safety is not still considered a serious issue for them. This paper provides a better understanding and highlights the importance of prioritizing nanosafety issue to the policymakers and the stakeholders of this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]