Abstract: A solar energy reflector (1) comprises a mirror (5) with no copper layer laminated to a supporting sheet (7) by means of a bonding material (6). The edges of the mirror (5) are provided, at least on a portion forming the major part of their height and closest to the metallic sheet, with an edge protection (8) made of a material comprising silicone, polyurethane and/or acrylic and the material forming the edge protection (8) is different from the bonding material (6).

Abstract: A mirror with no copper layer includes a glass substrate, a silver coating layer provided at a surface of the glass substrate, and at least one paint layer covering the silver coating layer, where the colour of the paint layer adjacent to the silver coating layer is characterised by L* being less than 40.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing anisotropic silica aggregates comprising the following steps: a) contacting at least one polymer with non-aggregated silica particles and/or highly dispersed in an aqueous medium, with a ratio R, polymer weight to silica particle surface, ranging between 0.03 and 2 mg/m; 2; and whereof the electrostatic value of the silica particle surface is not less than the value of the charge of the silica particle surface measured in an aqueous phase without added salts at a pH not less than 7; b) consolidating the aggregates obtained at step a) either by heat treatment, or by precipitation of a mineral compound.