New coating is virtual black hole for reflections
Researchers have created an anti-reflective coating that allows light to travel through it, but lets almost none bounce off its surface. At least 10 times more effective than the coating on sunglasses or computer monitors, the material, which is made of silica nanorods, may be used to channel light into solar cells or allow more photons to surge... view more... (2007-03-05)
NJIT researchers develop inexpensive, easy process to produce solar panels
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) have developed an inexpensive solar cell that can be painted or printed on flexible plastic sheets. view more (2007-07-19)
Carbon nanotubes could make efficient solar cells
Using a carbon nanotube instead of traditional silicon, Cornell researchers have created the basic elements of a solar cell that hopefully will lead to much more efficient ways of converting light to electricity than now used in calculators and on rooftops. view more (2009-09-11)
DOE outlines research needed to improve solar energy technologies
To help achieve the Bush Administration's goal of increased use of solar and other renewable forms of energy, the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science has released a report describing the basic research needed to produce "revolutionary progress in bringing solar energy to its full potential in the energy marketplace." view more (2005-08-15)
A New Russian Meteorite?
On Thursday 3 October, residents of the village of Bodaibo in the Irkutsk region of Siberia witnessed the fall of a large glowing object from space. Witnesses saw a large fireball in the sky, followed by a thunder-like sound, a flash of light, and a small earth tremor. Scientists from the Institute of Solar and Earth Physics of the Russian Academy... view more... (2002-10-04)
Solar energy: Charged for the future
Once regarded as costly and impractical, solar technology is now poised to play a larger role in the future, thanks to new developments that could result in lower costs and improved efficiency. view more (2006-09-11)
Voyager data may reveal trajectory of solar system
Nearly 30 years after launch, the two Voyager spacecraft are still operational and returning useful data. In their early years they produced some of the first close up images of the large outer planets. view more (2006-05-31)
Nuna - coming soon to a town near you
After crossing Australia in record-breaking time to win the World Solar Challenger, Nuna is now touring Europe. The tour, which commenced in Stockholm, will take Nuna to 35 cities in 12 European countries. Nuna, in its special trailer complete with audio and video equipment, will be on display in schools or museums from 8.30 in the morning until... view more... (2002-11-08)
Major grant drives forward cost efficient solar power
Whether the search for alternative energy sources is driven by our concern about global fossil fuel supplies or over the atmospheric effects of burning of fossil fuels, the government has laid out its aim to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 60% of 1990 levels by 2050, and aims to over- achieve its goal of sourcing 10% of energy from renewables by... view more... (2004-09-14)
Star on a Hubble diet
How heavy can a star be? This conundrum has haunted astronomers for decades. Theory indicates that there should be an upper stellar mass limit somewhere between 120 and 300 solar masses. Even though heavy stars are very bright, measurements of their masses can be complicated. view more (2006-12-12)
NOAA: Sunspot is harbinger of new solar cycle, increasing risk for electrical systems
A new 11-year cycle of heightened solar activity, bringing with it increased risks for power grids, critical military, civilian and airline communications, GPS signals and even cell phones and ATM transactions, showed signs it was on its way late Thursday when the cycle's first sunspot appeared in the sun's Northern Hemisphere, NOAA scientists... view more... (2008-01-08)
Higher efficiency organic solar cell created by UCSB Nobel Laureate and research team
Using plastics to harvest the energy of the sun just got a significant boost in efficiency thanks to a discovery made at the Center for Polymers and Organic Solids at the University of California, Santa Barbara. view more (2007-07-13)
Looking deeply into polymer solar cells
Researchers from the Eindhoven University of Technology and the University of Ulm have made the first high-resolution 3D images of the inside of a polymer solar cell. view more (2009-09-14)
Getting into hot water
An analysis of the engineering and economics for a solar water-heating system shows it to have a payback period of just two years, according to researchers in India. They report, in the International Journal of Global Energy Issues, on the success of the 1000-liter system operating at a university hostel. view more (2009-03-09)
Cost Competitive Electricity from Photovoltaic Concentrators Called 'Imminent'
Solar concentrators using highly efficient photovoltaic solar cells will reduce the cost of electricity from sunlight to competitive levels soon, attendees were told at a recent international conference on the subject. Herb Hayden of Arizona Public Service (APS) and Robert McConnell and Martha Symko-Davies of the U.S. Department of Energy's... view more... (2005-07-18)
Winds of 320 000 kilometres per hour on the Sun
The SUMER instrument on the ESA-NASA SOHO spacecraft has measured amazing wind speeds during its observations of the Sun. It sets a new record in its examination of two loops of gas arching in the solar atmosphere, where NASA`s TRACE satellite spotted bright blobs of gas. Shifts in the wavelength of ultraviolet light from highly ionized neon... view more... (2002-05-17)
Unique Quantum Effect Found in Silicon Nanocrystals
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), collaborating with Innovalight, Inc., have shown that a new and important effect called Multiple Exciton Generation (MEG) occurs efficiently in silicon nanocrystals. MEG results in the formation of more than one electron per absorbed photon. view more (2007-07-26)
Solar Contribution To 'Global Warming' Predicted To Decrease
New research on the sun's contribution to global warming is reported in this month's Astronomy & Geophysics. By looking at solar activity over the last 11,000 years, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) astrophysicist, Mark Clilverd, predicts that the sun's contribution to warming the Earth will reduce slightly over the next 100 years. This is a... view more... (2003-10-01)
Ancient diatoms lead to new technology for solar energy
Engineers at Oregon State University have discovered a way to use an ancient life form to create one of the newest technologies for solar energy, in systems that may be surprisingly simple to build compared to existing silicon-based solar cells. view more (2009-04-09)
Silicon Thin-Film Solar Cells Gaining In Efficiency
An important goal of modern energy research is to directly convert sunlight into electricity at low cost. Silicon thin-film solar cells promise comparatively lower costs than conventional solar cells. However, to become a mass product of the future, the efficiencies of large-area modules must climb from currently about 6 to 7 percent to 10 percent... view more... (2002-08-08)
|
|
