Solar Breakthrough

[irishbobcat]

I heard from a friend that the higher-ups at YSU are not interested in renewable energy programs, degrees, research and development, etc........

It will be only  matter of time when they are left standing on the pier as the 21st technology boat sails off and they scratch their heads wondering why enrollment is down again....


Dennis Spisak

[Towntalk]

Your article referenced "Polythene", and from my archives here is its story:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/polythenes-story-the-accidental-birth-of-plastic-bags-800602.html

The University of Akron has one of the cutting edge research groups in Polymer research, and in point of fact it is this research that has saved what is left of Akron's rubber industry from leaving Akron.

Polythene as the article states was discovered in the late 1800's, so it isn't exactly new, but here's a novel thought, why couldn't YSU do it's own research into modern uses of polythene?

[irishbobcat]

US Dept. Of Energy on Solar Breakthrough

August 15, 2008



Traditional solar cells only use up to 20% of the visible light they collect, and more efficient solar cells are too expensive for mass production. Now researchers at the US Department of Energy's Idaho Laboratory have figured out a way to capture solar energy on the cheap: plastic sheets filled with billions of nanoantennas.
The nanoantennas are made up of small gold squares or spirals set in polyethylene. Researchers believe that under the right conditions, the simulated nanoantennas could harvest up to 92% of energy at infrared wavelengths.

While traditional solar cells only use visible light, the nanoantennas use mid-infrared rays. This means that they can still collect energy after dark.
Eventually, researchers hope that the plastic sheets of nanoantennas will power everything from hybrid cars to iPods.
Of course, there is still plenty of research that needs to be done before nanoantennas can go into production—in fact, scientists still don't know how to convert energy from the devices into electricity. But the nanoantenna research is an interesting preview to a more affordable solar future. For now, though, we'll have to make do with traditional devices.
This is the type of research and development that is needed in America to turn the Ohio River Valley into a new manufacturing giant in renewable solar energy jobs, factories, and companies for the poor, idle, and working class of our valley.
This is why as the write-in Green Party Candidate for Congress to the 6th District I support real Green Job programs, not the pollution-filled coal to gas plants that incumbent Democrat Charlie Wilson endorses.
WRITE-IN
DENNIS SPISAK FOR CONGRESS
Green Party Candidate for Ohio's 6th District
The ONLY PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE
Running against a Conservative Democrat and Republican!

Renewable Energy Green/Blue Collars Jobs
Single-Payer Affordable Healthcare
Economic Fairness/Quality Education
Clear and Fair Elections with Paper Ballots

Campaign site: Http://votespisak.org/electspisak.tripod.com