solar « Science and Enterprise

Nanotech Process Devised for Graphene Semiconductors

By Alan, on September 11th, 2012%

Helge Weman (NTNU)

Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim developed a process to make semiconductors by growing nanoscale wires on a graphene substrate. Helge Weman (pictured left), a professor of electronics, led the research team that published its findings last month in the journal Nano Letters; paid subscription . . . → Read More: Nanotech Process Devised for Graphene Semiconductors

Renewable Power Storage, Management Modules in Development

By Alan, on August 9th, 2012%

Andreas Gutsch (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)

Systems that integrate renewable power sources with battery storage and management modules are being developed for pilot testing at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. The first of the modular systems, with a 50 kilowatt capacity, will be constructed on the Karlsruhe campus by the end of . . . → Read More: Renewable Power Storage, Management Modules in Development

MIT Start-Up Building Solar Thermal Systems for Clinics

By Alan, on August 7th, 2012%

Solar trough with center line pipe (STG International)

A not-for-profit company established by students and alumni at Massachusetts Institute of Technology is testing a solar energy system that generates electric power and hot water for isolated health clinics in Africa. The team led by Matthew Orosz, a recent Ph.D. recipient in mechanical engineering, . . . → Read More: MIT Start-Up Building Solar Thermal Systems for Clinics

New Quantum Dot Material Boosts Solar Cell Efficiency

By Alan, on July 30th, 2012%

(NOAA)

Engineers at University of Toronto in Canada and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia developed a film made of nanoscale semiconductors called quantum dots for inexpensive and more efficient solar cells. The team led by Toronto engineering professor Ted Sargent published its findings in a letter to . . . → Read More: New Quantum Dot Material Boosts Solar Cell Efficiency

Highly Transparent Solar Cells Developed for Window Glass

By Alan, on July 20th, 2012%

Transparent solar cells (UCLA)

Researchers at University of California in Los Angeles have developed solar cells with greater transparency that can be made to fit over windows and generate electric power. The findings from a team of UCLA engineers, materials scientists, and chemists appeared earlier this month in the journal ACS Nano (paid . . . → Read More: Highly Transparent Solar Cells Developed for Window Glass

Energy Dept. to Fund $102M for Small Business Research

By Alan, on June 28th, 2012%

The U.S. Department of Energy says it will fund research projects by 104 small businesses in the U.S. to develop energy-related technologies for market. The grants, made under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, total $102 million.

The projects cover technologies applying to energy efficiency, particularly for industrial . . . → Read More: Energy Dept. to Fund $102M for Small Business Research

Solar Developer Secures $70 Million in Venture Financing

By Alan, on June 4th, 2012%

Eugenia Corrales (LinkedIn.com)

Nanosolar Inc. in San Jose, California says it has raised $70 million in new capital for further research and development and to expand production. This later-stage investment round includes current and new investors OnPoint Technologies, Inc., Mohr Davidow Ventures, Ohana Holdings LLC, and Family Offices. In February, the company secured . . . → Read More: Solar Developer Secures $70 Million in Venture Financing

Company, University Lab Design Thermal Solar Collector

By Alan, on May 31st, 2012%

Central receiver tower at the Gemasolar plant (Torresol Energy)

An engineering company in Madrid, Spain, working with a research group at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), has designed a new central receiver for a solar thermal energy plant recently installed in Spain. Sun to Market is an engineering and IT services company . . . → Read More: Company, University Lab Design Thermal Solar Collector

Bay Area Consortium to Fund Large-Scale Solar R&D

By Alan, on May 18th, 2012%

(National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

The Bay Area Photovoltaic Consortium (BAPVC) unveiled its first research grants aimed at making utility-scale solar power cost-competitive by the end of the decade. The new funds from the consortium — an industry-backed venture led by Stanford University and the University of California-Berkeley — total $7.5 million.

The grants . . . → Read More: Bay Area Consortium to Fund Large-Scale Solar R&D

Glare-Free Water-Resistant Nanotech Glass Developed

By Alan, on April 26th, 2012%

Magnified view of cone-shaped nanostructures in glare- and water-resistant glass (MIT)

Engineers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a new type of glass that eliminates almost all reflection and causes water to bounce off. The team of MIT graduate students, faculty, and former postdoc — now at North Carolina State University — . . . → Read More: Glare-Free Water-Resistant Nanotech Glass Developed

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