Yesterday, Popular Mechanics announced it's Breakthrough Awards. While they were all fascinating, one of the most remarkable was an invention by Alan Heeger.
ThinkQuest.org writes
"Solar power is actually one of the cleanest methods of energy production known. Because solar panels simply convert the energy of the sun into energy mankind can use, there are no harmful byproducts or threats to the environment.
One major concern is the cost of solar power. Solar panels (accumulators) are not cheap; and because they are constructed from fragile materials (semiconductors, glass, etc.), they must constantly be maintened and often replaced."
So.... fragile materials are a problem, eh?
Enter Dr. Heeger.
Forget fragile materials - how about we just print them on plastic sheets?
"Heeger and his colleagues at Konarka, the Lowell, Mass.-based company he co-founded, can "print" strips of photovoltaic (PV) plastic as thin as photographic film. As with traditional PV panels, sunlight is converted into electrical energy. The advantage over traditional crystalline silicon on a glass substrate: Heeger's power plastic is 100 times thinner, as well as more pliable, cheaper and easier to mass-produce. Imagine electricity-generating awnings, tents, roofs and even clothing. "Solar energy is going to happen," says Heeger. "It will happen sooner and on a larger scale if we can provide a lower-cost technology.""
Click here for the Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Awards write up!
Science can solve our energy crunch - get thee behind photovoltaics, Democrats.