Scientific Prospects: Energy

Brunton Makes A portable Solar Chargers

Sun, 24 May 2009 08:18:05 GMT

Brunton makes a good range of flexible solar cells that use CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide) instead of the usual silicon. The Brunton Solaris 26 is a flexible solar charger that generates 26 watts but measures only 21.5” by 37.5″ and folds down to 11″ by 8.5” by 1”. Solaris chargers can charge a laptop or digital video camera. They can power a satellite or cell phone. It takes between... [read more]

Universal plug for electric cars

Tue, 19 May 2009 16:41:24 GMT

Despite being one of the great green hopes for the future, electric cars still have a long road to travel before they can hope to replace their internally-combusted brethren. To illustrate this, AFP is today reporting that agreement has been reached on a ‘common plug’ for recharging the vehicles. In a few years drivers may find themselves pulling into filling stations and... [read more]

Solar-Powered Stadium

Mon, 18 May 2009 14:40:24 GMT

Solar-Powered Stadiumby Justin A couple of years ago, we wrote about a 1.3 megawatt solar-powered stadium in Switzerland. A new solar powered stadium has been built in Taiwan for the 2009 World Games in July. Designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito, the stadium incorporates 8,844 solar panels on the roof. The roof will generate enough energy to power the building’s 3,300 lights and two giant... [read more]

Solar Powered Air Conditioner Released

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:37:32 GMT

A company called GreenCore Air has released an air conditioner than can be powered by a single 170 watt solar panel. The GreenCore air conditioning unit can heat and cool a 600 square foot room. It runs on DC power, so there is no need to put an AC inverter between the solar panel and the air conditioner. This eliminates the power losses associated with converting AC to DC. When the... [read more]

Engineer: We can use food waste to generate electricity

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:07:00 GMT

LONDON, England (CNN) -- The apocalyptic tales of nature's impending demise are as well worn as they are numerous. But while our leaders wrangle over quotas for greenhouse emissions over banquets at lavish summits, there are remarkable individuals who are doing their small bit to prevent our planet from peril. Take Nigerian civil engineer, Dr Joseph Adelegan for instance. He firmly believes... [read more]