Tag: Solar

Batteries made from paper can be an environmentally-friendly source of electricity. Now, a Swiss startup is aiming to replace batteries used in small devices entirely (a process that’s already begun in Sweden). Energy will come through perovskite solar cells previously developed in a research lab. Their properties and size can be tailored to customer requirements and device design. Manufacture...

Aluminium can be turned into rare metals. Silver is used as an electrode material in solar cells, accounting for 10-15% of manufacturing costs. Yet precious metal resources are limited. Inspired by the increased use of photovoltaics, a British/Swiss startup has developed patented electrodes from graphene. Highly efficient, their chemical stability is also comparable to that of precious metals. And...

Octopus can help give UV protection. Solar cells are also protected from UV rays and coated with an oil-based film for improved functionality. Now, a Finnish-led research team has hit upon an organic alternative. The team used dye from red-onion peel to coat a film made from nano-fine cellulose fibres and the new protective layer was more effective than...

A flexible bracelet harvests electricity through body heat. Now, a Swedish-based startup has developed flexible, customisable solar cells that convert indoor and outdoor light into electricity. Enabling e-book readers, headphones and keyboards to run without batteries. The solar cells comprise a titanium dioxide layer coated with light-absorbing dye and the maximum intake under different lighting conditions is defined by...

An add-on makes wind turbines safer for passing birds. Decommissioned wind turbines offer shelter too. A design studio has converted a former machine cabin into a tiny house. The nacelle, which once stood at 100 metres and housed the power generator, is 10 metres long and 4 metres wide, offering 35㎡ of living space. Its glass-fibre reinforced interior was...

Some solar panels follow the sun, while surplus energy can be stored in sand. Now a Boston-based research team has developed a battery-free, solar-powered desalination system for remote areas. The system utilises salt-heavy brackish groundwater and pumps it through a live membrane, meaning salt ions are drawn out as the water flows through. The novelty? An ingenious sensor system,...

Algae and robots can combine to reduce CO2 in our oceans. A New York-based research team is deploying algae-like bacteria’s photosynthesis capabilities to lower carbon dioxide levels indoors. A cyanobacteria-infused anode is embedded in a bio-based solar cell. Five of these solar cells are attached as leaves to an artificial plant structure which is placed in a pot. Capillary...

Hemispherical solar cells catch the light at multiple angles to generate power. Similarly, a Swiss startup is taking the sun’s position as its starting point, and its system comprises movable solar modules. They are attached to buildings by a framework, and angled by individual engines towards the sun. Installed outside windows, the modules provide shade and produce electricity at...