Earth Abundant Solar

IBM has developed a new solar cell technology that utilizes earth abundant materials to drive down the currently high cost of photovoltaics. They recently published their findings in Advanced Materials and, while they are not looking to go into production of solar cells, would like to partner with solar cell manufacturers to demonstrate the technology.

These new cells utilize Copper (Cu), Tin (Sn), Zinc (Zn), Sulfur (S) and/or Selenium (Se) which are comparatively more abundant than the Copper (Cu), Indium (In), Gallium (Ga), and Selenium (Se) that typical film cells use. These innovations still maintain pretty decent efficiency at 9.6%, a 40% increase over previous attempts to make solar cells of similar materials.

“Other solar cells which perform at similar efficiency levels are comprised of materials that have been either too costly to produce or contain elements that could limit production capacity, or have poor prospects for further improvements in efficiency, making commercialization and wide usage less likely,” said Thomas Theis, director of physical sciences at IBM’s T.J. Watson Research Lab, in a blog post.

With some additional research and innovation, the new solar technology could become an economically viable alternative to current solar methods. This would require a boost in efficiency to 12% but the long-term manufacturing potential is much greater as the materials used are abundant enough to meet our rising need for alternative energy.

Via Treehugger and cnet.

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Beam Down, Lower Costs

Standard solar power towers have been working fantastically and have proven to be an efficient and eco-friendly source of energy. It, however, can get better. A new and improved system that utilizes primarily the same solar energy attaining method is in the works at the Masdar Institute, the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Cosmo Oil.

Instead of building heat capturing systems at the top of large towers, which results in very expensive construction due to more intense fluid pumping, an extra set of mirrors will be used to direct captured light down towards the ground to be caught in a liquid filled tank under the tower. The fluid boils to about 500 degrees Celsius and subsequently goes through the general process of generating electricity.

Because of the extra step in the solar thermal process, efficiency is reduced by 15 to 19 percent. Improvements are sure to occur with further research. On the other hand, energy and cost in construction and processing are also reduced because fluids do not have to be pumped up into a high tower.

Mateo Chiesa, a researcher and professor at the Masdar Institute, estimates that the shorter, beam down tower prototype will generate about 100 kilowatts of power. Masdar hopes to be the first to gear this sort of solar thermal tower commercially.

This project is in its early, prototyping phases. Be sure to keep an eye out for further beam down news.

Via ecogeek and Greentech Media.

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Harnessing Human Power

Nanotechnology researchers at Caltech and Princeton have developed a new piezoelectric material capable of harnessing energy from movements as small as breathing. Piezoelectric refers to materials that generate electricity when pressure is applied. The new material, PZT or lead zirconate titanate, is a ceramic material that is made into nano-strips so small 100 fit side-by-side in a millimeter. The PZT is then embedded into silicone rubber chips which can generate power for small electric devices.

While other piezoelectric materials are currently available, such as quartz, what sets PZT apart is its remarkable efficiency. Able to convert 80% of the mechanical energy applied to it into electric energy, PZT can revolutionize power sources for electronic devices. The scientists have envisioned not only applying it to shoes to charge cell phones, a more obvious consumer application, but also see it being placed next to the lungs to generate power for pacemakers. This application would virtually eliminate the need for repeat surgeries to replace pacemaker batteries. McAlpine, a Princeton researcher on the project says, “You don’t generate that much power from walking or breathing, so you want to harness it as efficiently as possible.” PZT certainly seems capable of that feat.

Via cnet and ecogeek.

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Starck Wind Power For Your Home

Philippe Starck, known for his chic hotels, high-tech lamps and modern-style furniture, has now applied his renowned design aesthetic to domestic wind turbines. The designer unveiled two high-tech turbines for your home in Milan on Wednesday after two years of research and work.

The turbines will be produced by Italy’s Pramac, which makes power generation equipment and will come in two models of varying power generation capacity and expense. The first, a clear quadrangular model (400W WT), looks like a rectangular version of Dyson’s recently announced blade-less fan. It will generate 400 watts of power and cost 2,500 euros or $3,515. The second, a helicoidal model (1KW WT) will be able to generate 1 KW of power and cost 3,500 euros or $4,921.

“We have to help people to produce energy, to be part of the fight,” Starck said at the unveiling in Milan. “Energy should not be a punishment, we should create a desire (among people to produce it).” Starck reverses the typical “not in my backyard” response to wind power and has designed these turbines to become backyard fixtures perfect for your garden or roof.

Via Inhabitat and Reuters.

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Ecolect’s Top 10 Blog Posts of 2009!

In 2008, we brought you the the favorite initiatives of a year exhibiting a strong sense for sustainability, and this year is no different! 2009 proved to be a time of persevering eco-mindedness in a bevy of aspects, with much help from innovators, developers, and those who wish to learn more and spread the word. So here it is, a compilation of the favorite missions of ‘09.

10. Renewable Polyethylene As A Raw Material

The immensely improved cost-efficiency is mind-boggling and more than welcome as an alternative to standard plastics.

9. Color Changing Roof Tile!

This efficiently temperature driven innovation is going to save you money while saving the environment.

8. Squids As Inspiration

Biomimicry at its finest- squids serve as a muse for environmentally friendly composite materials.

7. The Box Office

Innovative container reuse development in Providence, Rhode Island.

6. Alternative Energy Through Roof Tiles

Solé Power Tiles integrates modern technology with classic design- always a good thing.

5. Negative Space To A Positive Outcome

Crafty ingenuity in text design!

4. Urban Agriculture In The Most Concrete Of Jungles

A floating farm in New York City provides produce as well as an educational experience.

3. Solar Airplane

Solar Impulse takes the next natural step in aviation.

2. Top Ten East Coast Materials

Check out these forward thinking east-cost options.

1. Weatherizing Buildings 101

How to effectively reduce energy costs and improve your footprint!

The nPower PEG (Personal Energy Generator)

The nPowerTM PEG provides you with never-ending communication, entertainment, & security! With the nPowerTM PEG, you create power for charging your cell phone or iPod. Just place the lightweight nPowerTM PEG in your backpack, briefcase, handbag, or attach the gadget to your hip, and you’ll create energy any time you need it. The PEG works when you are in motion so you do not have to worry about being near a power outlet or running out of a phone charge while on the go ever again.

The up and down movement from your walking or running creates kinetic energy. The nPowerTM PEG transfers this energy in the form of electrical power to your handheld mobile electronic devices through a standard USB 2.0 connector. The nPowerTM PEG charges handheld mobile electronic devices at the same rate as a wall charg- er which means an 80% charge is reached with just an hour of walk- ing throughout the day. nPowerTM is a green technology that literally allows you to create renewable energy by walking, thus reducing your personal carbon footprint.

They estimate that if their entire target market used the PEG to recharge their cell phones for an hour each day, instead of plugging into a wall outlet, they would reduce the amount of electricity needed from the grid by 25.4 million kilowatts. That translates into enough energy to power 21,000 households for 1 year!

Visit their website at greennpower.com.

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Connect Is At It Again… Responsible Events… What?

The new retail store Connect in Chicago is all about business with a conscious, but owner Jonathon Shaun is sure to make the point that  “social responsibility doesn’t have to be boring”.  Proof in point was their event this past weekend which, in addition to good music, cocktails and a huge selection of Eco-friendly clothing and accessories, also included a visit from Sara Snow speaking about Green Living and signing advanced copies of her new book.

Powerleap, flooring that converts human energy into electricity, was in use, donations were accepted for a local charity, there was a sign up with King’s Hill Farm for organic produce pick up and we featured the first permanent installation of our Material Petting Zoo™ .  For all in the Chicago area, feel free to drop by and take a peek!

This “Eco-materials petting zoo” features 20 materials from the Ecolect website that have unique properties with a leading sustainability performance.  We cater the Petting Zoo to the large community of designers, engineers, and business professionals, eager to learn about the latest and greatest in alternative Eco-materials. It is a chance to speak with designers, engineers, developers, and the business owners one-on-one about material needs, options and ideas.  It is exhibited at conferences, seminars, in-office events, trade shows, corporations, studios and educational institutions. Every sample in the Petting Zoo is accompanied by information about production, usage, technical specs and environmental properties.

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Samsung Blue Earth – The First Solar Powered Touchscreen Phone

Korean cell phone manufacturer Samsung Mobile has unveiled its new Blue Earth model, which works with solar energy. This cell phone was introduced yesterday at the Mobile World Congress 2009 in Barcelona.

The design doesn’t necessarily highlight the innovative energy use of the phone, but it is certainly a step forward in the mobile phone world. While other cell phone companies are trying hard to seduce consumers with design features or trying to reinvent the wheel around the same product, this model actually brings something new to the table, it is the first solar powered touch screen mobile phone.

Blue Earth is made from PCM (recycled plastic extracted from water bottles), and it is also free from harmful substances such as Brominated Flame Retardants, Beryllium and Phthalate.

Looking forward to see it in real and working.

Read more here.

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