Solar Science
March 3, 2010
Radiometer Works With Sunshine
Who didn't have a Radiometer as a kid? We did, but never really new how it worked. It seems the vanes inside transfer heat from the sun to each other. The lighter vanes reflect the rays and the darker ones absorb them. The more sun there is, the faster the vanes move.
Via Radiometer
February 25, 2010
CIT Develops Nanorod Solar Cells
The California Institute of Technology in Pasadena is using an existing technique that assembles nanowires on a surface to develop silicon nanorod solar cells that can be assembled in a "carpet" and embedded in a transparent polymer. The flexible cells use only about 1% of the material needed. Future applications would be inexpensive solar panels and clothing.
Via Nature
February 18, 2010
U of M Builds Tiny Solar-Powered Sensor
A team from the University of Michigan has developed a minute solar-powered sensor that provides almost continuous energy. Small as it is at 2.5 x 3.5 x 1mm, it has an ARM Cortex-M3 processor, solar cells and battery. With a low power microcontroller, it uses 2,000 times less energy in sleep mode than current ones. The sensor spends most of its time in that mode and wakes up long enough to take measurements. Planned for biomedical implants and monitoring buildings, its average power consumption claim is less than 1 nanowatt.
Via MSNBC
February 1, 2010
Synthetic Solar Cells Grown on Tobacco
You may be able to put this in your pipe but don't smoke it. A team at UC Berkeley have found a way to grow synthetic photovoltaic and photochemical cells on tobacco plants. They are then extracted, dissolved in a solution and sprayed onto a substrate with the result being solar cells. They may be not be as efficient as silicon but they are biodegradable.
Via Discovery
January 28, 2010
UA to Construct Solar Tech Park
The University of Arizona Tech Park is using solar power to make themselves and others aware of same. They will be building a 45 acre park covered with parabolic solar mirrors. When the $32 million project is completed next year, it will generate enough energy for over 1,500 homes and will reduce up to 1,600 tons of carbon emissions. In addition to producing electricity, it will also house a research and development facility.
Via UA News
January 18, 2010
University Develops 'Oil and Water' Solar Cell Assembly
The University of Minnesota has been working on a method of self-assembling of small solar components that combine to make cells. The researchers plan to mesh silicon and gold on a 2 dimensional sheet by using an oil/water mix. This has resulted in needing only 3 minutes to create a 64,000-component device. The team believes that this method can lend itself to many types of electronic components.
Via BBC
January 14, 2010
UNR Student Develops Solar Distillation Pond
Francisco Suarez, a doctoral student at the University of Nevada, Reno, is developing a process that will save ecosystems in closed basin regions, such as the Great Salt Lake and Salton Sea, where the evaporation rate leaves a high concentration of salt and minerals. His solar pond traps heat in the storage zone on the bottom, which can reach temperatures of up to 195ยบ F. It can then desalinate the water with a patented membrane distillation system that uses the solar heat as the energy source.
Via UNR
December 28, 2009
Sandia Develops Mini-Solar Cells
Sandia National Laboratory has developed tiny photovoltaic cells. Each is about 10 times thinner than conventional cells and can be integrated into clothing, turning its wearer into a mini-charger. The glitter-sized cells are 14-20 micrometers thick which is 10 times thinner than existing 6 X 6" solar modules. The team claims that they provide better performance, have a lower cost and are more efficient than those currently used.
Via Sandia
December 1, 2009
Curve Hydroponic Micro-Farm
Inka Biospheric Systems has all kinds of creative ideas. One of their latest is the Curve, a vertical micro-farm with a hydroponic grow structure and a fish tank. Both are powered by wind turbines while solar panels provide energy for cleaning and aerating. The "Bio-Quilt" and micro-organisms work as a cleaner for the fish while the fish provide the nutrients for the plants.
Via Inka
November 20, 2009
Site O' the Week: Planetary Society
The Planetary Society has planned to send the LightSail-1 into space next year. With mylar wings, it is completely controlled by solar sails. The non-profit company claims that it is the first in a 3 part series to prove to the planet that solar sailing for science is a good thing. While the first will be launched in Earth's orbit, LightSail-2 and-3 will be hurled further into space.
Unfortunately, the org lost Cosmos 1, their first sail, but not only did they not admit defeat, they are counting on others to help design and support their next one. That's reason enough for us to name them our SOW this week.
Via Planetary Society
November 12, 2009
Connecticut Opens LEED-Certified Science Center
Connecticut recently opened the doors to its Connecticut Science Center designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects. The center consists of a parallelogram shaped tower, a narrow glass building and an S-shaped roof. LEED-certified, 95% of the steel used to build it comes from recycled cars. PV panels and a fuel cell provide nearly 2/3 of its power. With a 3D digital theater, 4 labs, 150 hands-on exhibits and programs and events, the center will cater to science buffs of all ages.
Via Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects
November 9, 2009
ESA Launches Satellites With Experimental Solar Panel
Last week, the ESA (European Space Agency) launched two satellites from Northern Russia. The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) will be used for forecasting water content while the second, the Proba-2, will be used to explore solar cycles and space weather. While it is doing so, it will be testing a new ion-lithium battery, power management system, dual-frequency receiver, GPS, a micro camera and an experimental solar panel. We love progress and admire the ESA for taking a next step.
Via ESA
September 28, 2009
SolarWindows Generate Energy for Own Buildings
New Energy has been producing solar cells in transparent SolarWindows that can generate electricity from fluorescent lighting in offices and commercial buildings. When tested, the tiny solar cells produced twice the power of mono crystalline silicon, 8 times more than copper-indium-selenide and 10 times more than thin amorphous-silicon. The research has a ways to go as they figure the first applications would be in solar calculators, MP3 players, etc.
Via Clean Technica
July 22, 2009
Pure Makes Water Potable
Designer Emilian Dan Cartis has found a solution to turn polluted water to something usable with Pure. Inspired by evaporation and condensation in leaves, the solar gadget won the BraunPrize in 2003. Considering that 71% of the planet is water and only 2% is potable, Pure has a lot of work to do.
Via Emilian
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