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PurposeDuring the last 20 years, interest in the closed adsorption heat pump and refrigeration systems has increased steadily. In this paper, consideration is given to aspects of adsorption refrigeration in terms of existing materials used in adsorption refrigeration, heat transfer characteristics of materials, and cost of materials and manufacturing.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a general review of adsorption refrigeration technology.FindingsIn recent years several papers have been published in this area and many aspects of the system have been addressed. Much effort has been devoted to enhance materials properties.Originality/valueThe paper provides information of value to those involved with heat pump and refrigeration systems technology.

PurposeTo cover the main contributions and developments in solar thermal collectors through focusing on materials, heat transfer characteristics and manufacturing challenges.Design/methodology/approachA range of published papers and internet research including research work on various solar thermal collectors (flat plate, evacuated tubes, and heat pipe tube) were used. Evaluation of solar collectors performance is critiqued to aid solar technologies make the transition into a specific dominant solar collector. The sources are sorted into sections: finding an academic job, general advice, teaching, research and publishing, tenure and organizations.FindingsProvides information about types of solar thermal collectors, indicating what can be added by using evacuated tube collectors instead of flat plate collectors and what can be added by using heat pipe collectors instead of evacuated tubes.Research limitations/implicationsFocusing only on three types of solar thermal collectors (flat plate, evacuated tubes, and heat pipe tube).Practical implicationsUseful source of information for consultancy and impartial advice for graduate students planning to do research in solar thermal technologies.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils identified information about materials and heat transfer properties of materials and manufacturing challenges of these three solar thermal collectors.