That's something for North Face to think about producing, huh? Well surprise! Not North Face, but Brian Korgel and his research team at the University of Texas have developed plastic solar ink cells that could one day become five times more efficient than current solar cell technology. This would be a new cheap way for consumers to be able to get their hands on such advanced eco-friendly technology, perhaps even replacing all of our energy habits with a clean and renewable source of power such as the Sun. These spray-on solar cells can convert sunlight directly into electricity and are the first solar cells able to harness the sun's invisible, infrared rays so even when the sun isn't visible these cells can still extract energy to power items.
Uses such as covering your sweater in these cells to power you phone like National Geographic suggested is only one of the many futuristic features this new spray paint can enable you to do. The discovery of this form of solar harnessing power is one step closer to converting our wasteful technology into environmentally safe and renewable energy sources, of which we are in desperate need of. Downsizing seems to be a pattern in today's society, first we had enormous and costly solar panels and now we have these solar cells that are 10,000 times thinner than a strand of hair and come in spray paint form(!); whats going to be next, a portable computer able to fit in my purse?? A few years back we would have scoffed at the idea of alternative energy and the ability to harness the Sun's power to energize our electronics, but finally the knowledge is here and we should embrace it!
I gathered my information from multiple well-known sources online such as National Geographic, Discovery, Live Science and Brighter Energy. I believe each of these sources to be true and scholarly, their audiences being interested and informed people simply searching for more knowledge.
Lovgren, Stefan. "Spray-On Solar-Power Cells Are True Breakthrough." Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News. Web. 23 Sept. 2010.
Bryner, By Jeanna. "Powerful Ideas: Spray-On Solar Cells | LiveScience." LiveScience | Science, Technology, Health & Environmental News. 24 Aug. 2009. Web. 23 Sept. 2010.
Weatherspoon, Tomeka. "Spray Paint with Solar Cells : Discovery News." Discovery News: Earth, Space, Tech, Animals, Dinosaurs, History. 10 Nov. 2009. Web. 23 Sept. 2010.
