Skin-Like Piezoelectric Device Could Save Thousands of Dollars by Replacing Batteries
Researchers from the University of Notre Dame in the US have designed a PZT (lead zirconate titanate) piezoelectric device that resembles skin (they called it the EH skin) and that can harness energy from the mechanical work applied to it. The new device can be used in a variety of applications, ranging from wireless sensor units to patches that get energy from vibrations and pass it on to the grid. The sample they tested got as much as 3.7 mW.
$500 Million Invested by Google & Japanese Companies in Oregon Wind Farm
Frequent readers of this site may recall another article being posted about Google's investment in solar power plants in the Mojave Desert. And you may also recall their vow to look out for more ways to obtain clean, renewable energy. Well, it looks like they're bound to their word. Next on G's "to do" list is the Shepherds Flat Wind Farm in Oregon, U.S.
IBM Invents Way to Both Cool Down Concentrated Photovoltaics and Desalinate Water
IBM is seemingly more and more concerned about green technologies, and now invests in a project that can solve the problem of cooling solar cells that would otherwise be hard to use because of the high temperatures they're exposed to (120°C), aka concentrated photovoltaics.
Solar Junction Sets New Efficiency Record for Concentrated Photovoltaics: 43.5%
A new record for concentrated photovoltaics efficiency has been broken by Solar Junction, the same company that announced a 41.4% efficiency in February. The new score is 43.5% and their multi-junction solar cells can be produced right away.
Australia's Biggest Coal and Solar Power Project
One by one, states across the globe become conscious of their solar energy potential and act accordingly â€Ã¢â‚¬Å“ those that can, of course. Australia is one of them. With a growing demand for electricity and the challenge of polluting less, they try to move the weight from a coal-based industry to one that uses mostly solar power.
Magnetic Effect of Light Could Lead to New Solar Panels Technology
The great side about physics is that it discovers things where you would least expect them to be found. For example, just when you thought you knew everything about light, here comes an exciting new discovery that could become an alternative source of power, involving the magnetic properties of light!
Uruguay Set to Start Construction of 50 MW Wind Power Plant
With the help of Spanish company Abengoa, which has now been present in the country for more than 30 years, Uruguay will have a 50 MW wind power plant right in its center, in the village of Peralta, Tacuarembó.
Three-Dimensional Solar Cells to Be Mass Manufactured by Solar3d
Solar energy as we know it today has a great potential, but could need some help with the efficiency part. Apparently, solar cells are not very economical: almost one third of the light is reflected from the surface and the panel's materials only reabsorb some of the energy.
Molybdenum-Based Catalyst Discovered as Cheap Alternative to Platinum for Hydrogen Production
There have been many researchers seeking the perfect catalyst for dissociating water into hydrogen and oxygen. Xile Hu and his team from the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) in Switzerland have recently tinkered with a cheap catalyst made from molybdenum.
Ivanpah, a Huge Concentrated Solar Power Plans Funded by Google
Google has recently announced the construction of a new solar power plant in the Mojave Desert, California. BrightSource Energy is the local developing company in charge of the project and the power plant itself is known under the name of Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS).
