First Self-repairing Photovoltaic Cell Created
Definitions:
photovoltaic cell- A solar cell that converts sunlight directly into electricity.
nanotube- A cabon molecule that forms a tube-like structure, which when combined in layers, creates an immensly strong material.
Summary:
For many years, scientists have been trying to mimic plant's qualities of converting sunlight into energy using synthetic materials. However, the sun's rays destroy many of these photovoltaic cells over time. Scientists at the Massachusis Institute of Technology has suceeded in creating a self-renewing complexes that can convert light into electricity. The infastructure was made up of light harvesting proteins: walled nanotubes and disk shaped lipids. As the cell is exposed to solar radiation, the sunlight it converted into electrons. These nanotubes channel the electrons, creating a current. What makes this invention so unique is that scientists added a soap molecule that breaks down and reassembles the cell, making it self-repairing. This technology increases the efficientcy of alternate energy sources by 300% compared to a non-regenrable photovoltaic cell.
Discussion:
This article inspires me becauses it could potentially revolutionize alternative energy technology. This new technology could replace modern harmful energy sources such as oil. Personally, I think this is a great advancement towards alternative energy sources because it has low maintence due to the cells being sel-repairing and does not harm the environment. If we resort to these kinds of energy sources, although the short term effects may be unfavorable due to the expense of solar cells, the long term effects could benefit us greatly as it will sustain low evergy costs and provide a clean way to create energy. My only concern is wether or not people will turn to this energy source in the future. Many people may overlook the long term effects and focus soley on the short term consequences which would discourage them from using photovoltaic energy cells.
Questions:
How does the surfactant (a solution of soap molecules) make the photovoltaic cell result in renewing itself and making it self-repairing?
Is there a way to make the photovoltaic cell more efficient and convert more energy than the standard one?
Citations:
Article: Dume, Belle. "Self-Reparing Photovoltaic Cell not damaged by the Sun."
Environmental Research Web. N.p., 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 14 Oct. 2010.
http://environmentalresearchweb.org/cws/article/news/43700.
Environmental Research Web. N.p., 9 Sept. 2010. Web. 14 Oct. 2010.
http://environmentalresearchweb.org/cws/article/news/43700.
Picture:
 Web link | "40% Usage in Solar Cells." A Discovery Company. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2010. <http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/stateoftheart_m.php>. |
I like your summary. It was clear, but not too long. I am actually able to understand what a self-repairing photovoltaic cell is. You were clear when explaining this. You also wrote about many of the benefits of this cell. However, you might have wanted to add the negatives to this technology. Without this, I cannot say whether these cells are practical and a possible future green source. I think that newer and more efficient cells will be made during the near future as green technology becomes more popular. Great post though and hope your next one is also about alternative energy.
ReplyDeleteI like your blog overall, but I have some questions. Will they be able to mass produce this and make it cheap?? And Are there negatives??? I also agree with Zabin that the summary is slightly short, so you might want to add a little more detail. Overall I really see how you like this topic, and it is very interesting. I look forward to learning more about this.
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