This is for the people of the sun.
Source
Researchers at Ohio State University have accidentally discovered a new solar cell material capable of absorbing all of the sun's visible light energy. The material is comprised of a hybrid of plastics, molybdenum and titanium. The team discovered it not only fluoresces (as most solar cells do), but also phosphoresces. Electrons in a phosphorescent state remain at a place where they can be "siphoned off" as electricity over 7 million times longer than those generated in a fluorescent state. This combination of materials also utilizes the entire visible spectrum of light energy, translating into a theoretical potential of almost 100% efficiency. Commercial products are still years away, but this foundational work may well pave the way for a truly renewable form of clean, global energy.
Here is the DIGG link
A complete study of the team's work appears in the current issue of "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" (PNAS).
This is a huge breakthrough, and just like almost every other scientific discovery, it happened on accident. Be it Penicillin, Viagra, or LSD, scientific fuckups have produced great results.
This is just one of many technologies available. Be it Wind, Geothermal or bio-mass, we have literally thousands of CLEAN ALTERNATIVES.
These are the technologies that will dominate the 21st century. I'm not a huge fan of Tom Friedman, but he was hit the nail on the head on Real Time last week.
This industry will come from dire necessity(lest we cook ourselves alive) and will produce MILLIONS OF JOBS.
I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir.
But still think about it,
Quite recently, plastic solar cells have been created which achieve between 7% and 11% efficiency. While this may not sound like a lot, such products and materials are extremely inexpensive to produce in bulk quantities, costing about $3 per square meter. The idea of having a rooftop covered by plastic solar cells in place of tar-based shingles has drawn many a consumer's thought since being first reported in 2007. Commercial consumer products based on the technology, which could offer up to 14% efficiency if theories are to be believed, are promised within the next five years.
We are making exponential progress towards efficiency,and this new industry will revitalize rural, urban and suburban economies. It is the great project of the 21st century and the greatest gift we can give our descendants.
I went to a school built by workers of the Great Depression. The statues outside stood as a testament to what they built for me, someone who enjoyed all of its benefits, even after they were gone.
JOBS BABY, JOBS
CLEAN JOBS BABY, CLEAN JOBS
GREEN JOBS BABY, GREEN JOBS
Update: I forgot to mention probably the greatest scientific fuckup of all time, Silly Putty. Thanks to socratic for pointing that out.
I also blogged on electric cars a while back: Mythbusting Electric Cars, check it out if you like.