Flexible solar panels

Nanontenna arrays allow solar energy to be harvested in the dark – could this revolutionise renewables? The technology, developed at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory, is the first step toward a solar energy collector that could be mass-produced on flexible materials. The nanoantennas target mid-infrared rays, which the Earth continuously radiates as heat after absorbing energy from the sun during the day. In contrast, traditional solar cells can only use visible light, rendering them idle after dark. Infrared radiation is an especially rich energy source because it also is generated by industrial processes such as coal-fired plants.

Methods are still being developed to convert the energy into usable electricity, but the technology shows promise as a new generation of renewable energy and as cooling devices. The sheets could potentially cover building roofs or form the “skin” of consumer gadgets like cell phones and iPods, providing a continuous and inexpensive source of renewable energy.

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NanoAntenna Solar Shows Incredible Promise!! – The best video clips are here