Do you believe that we will outgrow our dependence on oil for energy through technology? Maybe this would be a step in that direction.
Scientists have invented a plastic solar cell that can turn the sun's power into electrical energy, even on a cloudy day.
The plastic material uses nanotechnology and contains the first solar cells able to harness the sun's invisible, infrared rays. The breakthrough has led theorists to predict that plastic solar cells could one day become five times more efficient than current solar cell technology.
Like paint, the composite can be sprayed onto other materials and used as portable electricity. A sweater coated in the material could power a cell phone or other wireless devices. A hydrogen-powered car painted with the film could potentially convert enough energy into electricity to continually recharge the car's battery.
It's nanotech. Someone alert the Professor!
Related thoughts.
- Brainstorming's categories seriously need to be cleaned up. What was I thinking?
- Are there consequences if we take the energy from the sun and convert it to fuel? Isn't that energy being absorbed by the earth now? Would the resulting meme be global cooling?
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