Solyndra's Cylindrical Solar Cell Racks Reduce Costs of Solar Power Production
Solyndra Inc. has recently developed a new solar cell system that will reduce the costs of solar power production. They will install it over the rooftop of a North Sacramento plastics factory. This investment will prove to be one of the biggest West Coast solar harvesting systems.
Groundbreaking Nanowire Fabrication Technique Will Improve Solar Cells
Nanowires have been the center of attention for the past few years. By enabling scientists to produce devices that were never thought to be possible, the nanowires made investments flow into this area and bring even more discoveries of their potential.
Solar-Powered Bacteria Convert Carbon Dioxide Into Biofuel
A team of U.S. researchers have developed a new way to generate alternative fuel from bacteria. They have genetically modified bacteria to eat CO2 and produce isobutyraldehyde, which can further be used to produce isobutanol.
Bismuth-Ferrite Piezoelectric Material Opens New Roads for Energy Generation
Researchers at the UC Berkeley and the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley Lab have developed a new lead-free material that generates electricity when exposed to stress. One day, this phenomenon called piezoelectricity could become as common as backyard grills.
Tennessee Scientists Generate Hydrogen With Photosynthesis
Prof. Bruce isolated the core of the photosynthetic process from certain algae, and proved that, if coupled with a platinum catalyst, it could produce hydrogen in the presence of light. Photosynthesis is at the base of our fossil fuel energy, because it comes from the plants that lived here millions of years ago - indirectly, from the Sun.
DeltaStream: UK-Based Underwater Generator to Power 1000 Homes
The unit has been invented by Pembrokeshire engineer Richard Ayre, featuring three generators mounted on a triangular frame and due to its floating crane it can easily be lowered and recovered from the seabed.
Pyrite Could Become The Solar Cell Manufacturers' New Best Friend
U.S. scientists, along with Swiss-based NLV Solar are searching for a possibility to use pyrite for making efficient solar cells, and replace the expensive silicon with a thinner and cheaper option. "This analysis is truly a blend of semiconductor physics and natural resource economic analysis," he said.
Plastic Solar Cells with LEDs Offer Cheap Lighting in Poor Countries
According to a study, there are about 1.5 billion people in developing countries who do not have electricity, the majority of them using kerosene lamps for light after sunset. But now, thanks to the researchers from Denmark, the lighting problem could disappear.
Japan Plans to Deploy Space-Based Solar Power Station
JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, wants to compete with the United States' PG&E project for collecting solar power from outer space and beam it on Earth through clusters of lasers and microwaves.
Silicon Nanowires Anode Technology Promises Li-Ion Batteries 10 Times Stronger
Amprius, a start-up company from Menlo Park, CA, has invented an innovative type of anode for Li-Ion batteries. The material that they intend to use is made of silicon nanowires, that are said to store 10 times more electricity than graphite.
