Mom, I Think I Solved the Energy Crisis?
Way back (er, six months ago) when EcoSalon was first unfurling, we reported on a terrific breakthrough by Super Soaker designer Lonnie Johnson in the field of solar cell efficiency. Now this remarkable step forward in sustainable energy is overshadowed by yet another - from a 12-year-old in Oregon.
Most news stories are going to focus on William Yuan’s age – and no wonder. When I was his age I was still struggling with the rules of football, let alone physics. But Mr. Yuan seems something of a prodigy (now there’s a word to reassure us all). Multi-award-winning, including the Oregon award for the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Talent Search, and with a keen interest in renewable energy, this seventh-grader has created a 3D solar cell that absorbs both visible and ultraviolet light.
This cell collects 9 times more light than existing 3D cells – and a whopping 500 times more than conventional flat cells. If the concept becomes commercially viable, it’s a huge step towards fulfilling our energy needs with renewable resources. And for Mr Yuan? A well-deserved $25,000 scholarship – and the peculiar pressure of having to top an achievement he made at the age of 12.
- via Clean Technica
Image: aussiegall
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4 Comments
September 19th, 2008 at 10:35 am
This news is really amazing and exciting! I truly hope something big comes of it!
September 25th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
I know, it’s a real ray of sunshine. (Sorry, sorry). If this super-efficient technology becomes affordable, solar power is going to go seriously mainstream. Fingers crossed.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Not to be overly pessimistic, but the technology will ultimately be suppressed I bet. If it truly captures that much power, then why not have a set of panels on top of every car to power the car?
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