Researchers at the Idaho National Laboratory have designed a lightweight, foldable solar panel design which they predict will function at 80% efficiency (the best solar panel prototypes operate at about 40%). The researchers’ secret is the implementation of nanoantennas, which have the ability to absorb not only light, but heat from the sun as well.
The sheet of solar panels is similar in size and weight to a sheet of plastic wrap But like any breakthrough, this is still in the theoretical stage, as researchers have only simulated the function of the solar cells and design tweaks still need to be made. [Idaho National Laboratory via Eco Geek via Oh Gizmo via New Launches]
R. Frist
Monday, November 23, 2009 at 4:20 AMIf they succeed in getting this system to work think how strange things would be. Everything at temperatures over absolute zero emits some black body infrared radiation. In the winter just put some of these magic antennas outside in the snow and use the power to run an electric space heater in the house. It will usher in a new world with new physical laws. You will be able to use the same energy over an over, heat to electricity and back to heat after turning a motor or lighting a lamp.