Transparent solar panels developed that can be placed over windows
It is called a transparent luminescent solar concentrator and can be used on buildings, cell phones and any other device that has a clear surface. What makes this latest leap forward so brilliant is that, unlike previous designs, these are as clear and colourless as a piece of glass meaning we won't even notice they are there!
Richard Lunt of MSU's College of Engineering and his team have developed a series of small organic molecules to absorb specific rays of non-visible light, such as those around the ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths. The organic molecules then 'glow' at a specific infrared frequency which is harvested at the edge of the plastic by thin strips of photovoltaic cells which covert the energy into usable electricity.
The potential for this technology to revolutionise the way we get energy to run our buildings and devices is huge. Be prepared to see these everywhere within a few years, but you may have to look carefully as the intention is that we won't even notice that they are there!
For the full article please visit: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140819200219.htm
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