nabraxas Posted August 9, 2011 Mon, Aug 08 2011 1. Nano-templated molecules that store energyMIT associate professor Jeffrey Grossman and others successfully created a new molecule called azobenzene using carbon nanotubes to structure the molecules so that they "lock in" stored solar thermal energy indefinitely. These molecules have the remarkable ability to convert solar energy and store it an energy density comparable to lithium ion batteries. As Grossman says, "You’ve got a material that both converts and stores energy. It’s robust, it doesn’t degrade, and it’s cheap.” 2. Print solar cells on anything An MIT team led by professor Karen Gleason has discovered a way to print a solar cell on just about anything, using low temperatures and vapor as opposed to liquid solutions that are expensive, require high temperatures and degrade the substrate materials. The resulting printed paper cell is also extremely durable and can be folded and unfolded more than 1,000 times with no loss in performance. 3. Solar thermal power in a flat panel Professor Gang Chen has been working on a revolutionary new way to make solar power — micro solar thermal — which could theoretically produce electricity at 8 times the efficiency of the word's best solar panel. Solar thermal usually requires huge arrays of mirrors that heat up an element to run a steam turbine. Chen's system, which is about the size and shape of a typical solar PV panel, uses nanostructured thermoelectric generators that capture the heat differential created by the sun's light striking the top of the panel. Because it is a thermal process, the panels can heat up from ambient light even on an overcast day, and these panels can be made from very inexpensive materials. 4. A virus to improve nano-solar cell efficiency MIT graduate students recently engineered a virus called M13 (which normally attacks bacteria) that works to precisely space apart carbon nanotubes so they can be used to effectively convert solar energy. The virus acts, in a sense, as a tiny machining tool to pattern the nanotubes properly creating a jump for 8 percent efficiency to about 10.6 percent efficiency — a jump of nearly one-third. 5. Transparent solar cell could turn windows into power plants The world's cities are packed with miles and miles of glass. What if all that glass could be used to harness the sun's rays while maintaining their transparency? This idea has been out there for a while, but current attempts have resulted in terrible efficiencies (less than 1 percent) and tend to block too much light, rendering the window useless. Electrical engineering professor Vladimir Bulovic has made a breakthrough that could eliminate two-thirds of the costs of installing thin-film technology by incorporating a layer of new transparent organic PV cells into the window glazing. The MIT team believes it can reach a whopping 12 percent efficiency at hugely reduced costs over thin film solar cells. full story w/links: http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/blogs/5-breakthroughs-that-will-make-solar-power-cheaper-than-coal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rabaelthazar Posted August 10, 2011 Great news. Here's hoping some of those technologies get invested in and implemented by governments (particularly our government). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marcel Posted August 10, 2011 Call me a reactionary, but that virus makes me nervous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
7baz Posted August 10, 2011 (edited) what could possibly go wrong ? virus somehow evolves , re creates a new virus from itself , cripples down the power line.. into your toaster.. bread gets effected...... lol actually shit before we know it... solar panel virus infects computers........ i believe this is indeed possible.... getting serious thou.... here in Australia the idea of solar power is a frigging joke. we have to only buy Australian certified costing thousands of dollars knowing we can get the same shit from china 1 10th the price.. but we not allowed to use it.. clearly shows the profit scam side of things... then we have the cap of how much they offer you when you max out the grid spreading it into the street.... saving electricity.. but for whom ? thats right , less expense for the electricity company.. but keep charging normal rates for people with normal electricity. all your doing is A getting ripped off with old outdate shit where japan is like 20 years ahead of us in solar power already. then B , getting ripped off even more by being a dork and helping the electricity company rip more people. plus you looking at like what ? 10 years just to get your monies worth... the whole situation and monopoly caused just sucks. Edited August 10, 2011 by 7baz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
synchromesh Posted August 10, 2011 (edited) Call me a reactionary, but that virus makes me nervous. 20 other man-made viruses later... Edited August 10, 2011 by synchromesh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
