Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : How AuREUS Solar Panels

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

How AuREUS Solar Panels are Changing Renewable Energy

The AuREUS  solar panel is a groundbreaking UV-absorbing solar panel technology designed to revolutionize renewable energy. Unlike conventional  solar panels that rely on direct sunlight, AuREUS can generate electricity even under cloudy conditions, expanding solar power applications to windows, walls, and even clothing.

This revolutionary invention was developed by Carvey Ehren Maigue, an engineering student from Mapúa University in the Philippines. His work on AuREUS earned him the prestigious James Dyson Sustainability Award, recognizing its potential to reshape solar energy systems for urban environments.

With the ability to harvest ultraviolet (UV) light that penetrates through cloud cover, AuREUS offers a more efficient and flexible alternative to traditional solar panels, making clean energy more accessible in diverse settings.

How AuREUS Solar Panels Work

The UV light energy conversion process in AuREUS is inspired by the natural phenomenon of auroras. It utilizes fruit-based solar panels, where luminescent particles derived from recycled plant waste energy capture UV rays, convert them into visible light, and direct them to solar cells for electricity generation.

How the Process Works:

-Absorption: Special luminescent compounds, extracted from fruit and vegetable waste, absorb UV radiation.

-Re-emission: The absorbed UV energy is re-emitted as visible light.

-Energy Transfer: This visible light is then channeled toward photovoltaic cells, where it is converted into usable electricity.

Advantages Over Traditional Solar Panels:

✅ Works without direct sunlight – unlike standard panels, AuREUS captures UV radiation, allowing it to function even in cloudy or shaded environments.

✅ Sustainable material source – repurposing recycled plant waste energy reduces dependence on rare or expensive materials.

✅ Flexible applications – can be integrated into building walls, windows, and even wearable fabric, making it more versatile than rigid solar panels.

This fruit-based solar panel technology represents a game-changing advancement in renewable energy, offering improved efficiency and sustainability over traditional photovoltaic systems.

Key Features and Benefits:

The AuREUS solar panel introduces a unique approach to renewable energy, offering advantages that set it apart from traditional silicon-based solar panels. Unlike conventional solar technology, which depends on direct sunlight, AuREUS can generate electricity even in low-light conditions, making it a sustainable building solar technology with vast applications.

Works in Low-Light Conditions.

Traditional solar panels require consistent sunlight exposure for peak performance. However, AuREUS operates using UV light energy conversion, which means it can function effectively even when cloud cover or shaded environments reduce direct sunlight.Since UV rays penetrate through clouds, AuREUS panels maintain energy production even on overcast days.

Integration into Building Materials, Clothing, and Vehicles:

The flexibility of fruit-based solar panels allows them to be incorporated into various surfaces beyond rooftops. Some of the most promising applications include:

• Sustainable building solar technology: AuREUS panels can be integrated into windows, walls, and facades, transforming entire buildings into energy generators.
• Wearable solar technology: Lightweight and flexible, the panels can be embedded into clothing, allowing people to generate electricity while on the move.
• Vehicle applications: Future iterations of the technology could be used on electric cars and public transportation, reducing reliance on external charging sources.

Eco-Friendly and Low-Cost Production

Unlike traditional  solar panels that rely on rare metals and high-energy manufacturing, AuREUS  panels are made using recycled plant waste energy from fruits and vegetables. This approach reduces waste and promotes a circular economy, making the technology environmentally sustainable and cost-effective.

Challenges and Limitations

While AuREUS represents a significant innovation, there are still hurdles to overcome before mass adoption. The technology remains in its early stages, and researchers are working to improve its efficiency, scalability, and durability.

Limited Efficiency Compared to Traditional Solar Panels

Currently, early prototypes of AuREUS panels have lower energy conversion rates than conventional silicon-based solar panels. While traditional solar panels can achieve efficiencies of 15-22%, AuREUS panels still need optimization to match these levels. Researchers continue to explore ways to enhance the UV light energy conversion process to make the technology commercially viable.

Scaling Production and Material Constraints

One of the biggest challenges in scaling AuREUS technology is its reliance on specific fruit-based dyes. The luminescent compounds used for UV light absorption currently come from certain fruits and vegetables, limiting mass production capacity. Scientists are searching for synthetic or alternative blue dyes that can replicate the same effect without depending solely on natural organic waste.

Durability Concerns Over Long-Term Exposure

While traditional solar panels are designed to last 25+ years, the longevity of AuREUS panels remains uncertain. The organic compounds used in the process may degrade over time when exposed to heat, moisture, and environmental pollutants. Research is ongoing to improve the stability and lifespan of these materials for long-term deployment.

Despite these challenges, the recognition of AuREUS with the James Dyson Award for renewable energy highlights its disruptive potential. As research progresses, the technology could play a vital role in making solar energy more accessible and adaptable in urban and remote environments.

Future of AuREUS and Vertical Solar Farms

The future of AuREUS solar panels lies in their ability to transform urban landscapes by integrating into vertical solar farms on buildings. This innovation could redefine how cities harness renewable energy while overcoming traditional space constraints.

Integration into Smart Cities and Vertical Solar Farms

Traditional solar panels require large, unobstructed surfaces like rooftops or solar farms in rural areas. However, with solar panels for windows and building facades, AuREUS technology enables cities to generate renewable energy vertically. This is particularly useful for urban environments, where space is limited but buildings provide large vertical surfaces for energy harvesting.

• Urban skyscrapers and office buildings: Large glass surfaces can be fitted with UV-absorbing solar panels, converting windows into energy sources.
• Residential apartments: Balconies and windows can contribute to decentralized energy production.
• Public infrastructure: Bus stops, train stations, and glass-covered walkways could integrate AuREUS panels to generate electricity without affecting aesthetics.

With the rise of smart cities, incorporating vertical solar farms into urban design would help reduce reliance on fossil fuels while promoting self-sufficient buildings.

Potential Improvements in Dye Stability for Enhanced Efficiency:

One of the key areas for future research is enhancing the efficiency of AuREUS  panels. Current challenges, such as organic dye degradation, could be addressed by:

• Developing synthetic or bio-engineered dyes that last longer under UV exposure.
• Enhancing luminescent efficiency to improve the conversion of UV light to visible light before transferring it to photovoltaic cells.
• Exploring hybrid solar technologies that combine AuREUS with traditional silicon-based panels for maximum energy capture.

If these improvements are realized, fruit-based  solar panels could achieve efficiencies closer to traditional silicon panels, making them more viable for large-scale deployment.

Collaboration with Green Energy Companies

For AuREUS solar panels to achieve mass adoption, partnerships with renewable energy companies and construction firms will be crucial. Possible developments include:

• Incorporating AuREUS panels into architectural designs for new eco-friendly buildings.
• Forming alliances with solar energy manufacturers to commercialize the technology at scale.
• Government incentives and policies that promote solar panels for windows and building facades to encourage widespread adoption.

By integrating AuREUS into urban infrastructure, it has the potential to revolutionize solar energy usage and make cities more energy-efficient.

Conclusion 

The development of AuREUS solar panels represents a groundbreaking shift in renewable energy. Unlike traditional solar panels, which rely on direct sunlight, AuREUS harnesses UV light energy conversion, allowing it to work in cloudy and shaded environments. This innovation opens doors for solar panels for windows, walls, and even clothing, making renewable energy more accessible.

Why AuREUS is a Game-Changer in Renewable Energy

• Works in low-light conditions, making it effective even on cloudy days.
• Can be integrated into urban infrastructure like vertical solar farms, reducing reliance on large open spaces for solar power generation.
• Uses recycled plant waste energy, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional solar panels.

Encouraging Sustainable Energy Adoption

As technology progresses, AuREUS solar panels could become a mainstream renewable energy solution. The next steps include:

• Following research developments to track efficiency improvements.
• Supporting companies and startups that focus on sustainable building solar technology.
• Raising awareness about alternative solar solutions that promote sustainability in urban environments.

For readers interested in cutting-edge green technologies, explore related innovations:

• Ocean Fertilization: Benefits, Risks, and Climate Impact
• Tidal Energy: Harnessing Ocean Power for a Sustainable Future
• Vertical Ocean Farms: The Next Frontier in Sustainable Food Production
• Exploring Wave Energy Converters

source:evolutionoftheprogress.com

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share : Researchers unveil new rapid polymer nanostructure production process

 Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

University of Birmingham researchers unveil new rapid polymer nanostructure production process

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have unveiled a new method for the rapid, scalable preparation of uniform nanostructures directly from block polymers. The Dove and O’Reilly groups have led the project with the new method found to reduce processing times from a week to a few minutes, while also ensuring the high-throughput production of precision polymer nanomaterials.

Published in Nature Synthesis, the researchers’ findings outline a rapid seed preparation technique that supersaturates polymer solutions in a flow system. The process works by facilitating uniform seed micelle formation and enables the integration of seed preparation and living crystallisation-driven self-assembly (CDSA). As a result, users can achieve end-to-end production of nanostructures in as little as three minutes, an improvement on existing synthetic methods by orders of magnitude.

Offering a powerful, scalable, and precise approach, the new method aids with the development of diverse and complex polymer nanoparticles. This will help to pave the way towards their scalable synthesis and potential applications in the biomedical engineering, catalysis, and energy transfer sectors.

Additionally, enhancements in versatility and efficiency could provide new possibilities in terms of applications in different fields. The research also signifies a “step forward in the field of precision nanomaterials.” Potential new applications for precision polymer nanomaterials include advancing drug delivery systems, allowing therapeutic agents to be carried directly to targeted cells, and improvements in the treatment of diseases like cancer.

A word from the team:

This innovative method represents a significant leap forward in the field of nanomaterials,” said Dr Rachel K. O'Reilly, one of the lead researchers. “By drastically reducing the processing time and increasing throughput, we can now produce high-quality nanostructures at a scale that was previously unattainable.

The integration of seed preparation and living CDSA in a continuous flow setup is a game-changer. It not only enhances efficiency but also ensures uniformity and reproducibility, which are critical for the practical application of these nanostructures.

The first author of the study, Laihui Xiao, concluded, “Our flash-freezing strategy is a key innovation that allows us to achieve rapid and uniform seed formation. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for the scalable synthesis of precision nanomaterials.

source: University of Birmingham/interplasinsights.com

PCBL Chemical strengthens its Specialty portfolio, To set up its 1st Acetylene Black plant in India, Signs a Technology transfer agreement with Ningxia Jinhua

PCBL Chemical Ltd has signed a technology transfer agreement with Chinese company Ningxia Jinhua Chemical Co. to produce Acetylene black in India. Acetylene black is a high-end conductive grade chemical with applications in high voltage power cables, Li Ion batteries, EV charging, Semiconductor packaging and conductive plastics, paints & coatings applications. PCBL plans to set up its 1st Acetylene Black plant in India to meet the fast-growing demand of Indian Battery industry and export to the global battery, semiconductor and conductive markets, thereby aligning with market needs to build more resilient supply chains for critical conductive materials.

Over the last few years, PCBL has significantly expanded its specialty portfolio. It has launched over 50 grades under Bleumina brand for engineered plastics, Nutone for inks, paints and coating applications and Energia for conductive applications like conductive polymers, electrostatic discharge, wires and cables and battery.

The addition of Acetylene black would significantly bolster its capabilities to offer numerous grades in the fast-growing conductive segment. PCBL has recently set up a Joint Venture company, Nanovace Technologies Ltd to develop nano- silicon products to be used in anodes of Li-Ion batteries. The pilot plant at PCBL Palej site will be ready in the next few months. Acetylene black technology addition is in sync with PCBL's strategy to align growth vectors with global macro trends like Energy Transition, Grid Renewal, Auto Electrification and Semiconductor industry growth.

The market size of Acetylene Blacks, which is currently around 60,000 MT, is estimated to increase by around 19-20% CAGR and reach around 150,000 MT by 2030. Acquisition of this technology will enable PCBL's participation in these fast growth market segments, accelerating moving up the value ladder, enriching product mix and thereby leading to significant improvement in margin profile. PCBL aims to be a major player in conductive material segments. With this technology acquisition, PCBL now has multiple conductive technology platforms - Furnace Black, Nanovace and Acetylene Black, making it part of select club of multi-platform Carbon Black manufacturers. This acquisition will further accelerate PCBL's transition to innovation led and tech driven organization.

source : PCBL 

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share :Additive Manufacturing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share

Additive Manufacturing of Adaptive Architected Structures for Enhanced Protective Equipment

Our research study on "Additive Manufacturing of Adaptive Architected Structures for Enhanced Protective Equipment" is published in European Journal of Mechanics - A/Solids.

This study focuses on the development of #architected gradient structures with #auxetic properties to enhance mechanical performance and impact resistance. By integrating advanced design methodologies with

#additive_manufacturing, we aim to create customizable and adaptive protective components. The research explores #3DPrinted structures with tailored mechanical properties, optimizing them for streamlined manufacturing and improved wearability. The findings contribute significantly to the advancement of lightweight, high-performance

#protective equipment, offering innovative solutions for various applications.

The results indicate that the selected design has the potential for use in future protective gear, such as sport-related PPE applications. However, further research is needed to evaluate the functional performance of this structure in dome-shaped systems and to explore key design aspects, such as comfort and ventilation, in greater detail.

source:Mehrshad Mehrpouya/University of Twente /AM SMART

More details

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S099775382500083X

video: https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S099775382500083X-mmc1.mp4

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share: Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff-Nobel Prize 1901

Today's KNOWLEDGE Share:

Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff-Nobel Prize 1901

Stereochemistry

Methane was known to consist of four atoms of hydrogen and one of carbon. It had also been determined that it was a symmetrical compound, meaning that in chemical reactions, other chemicals did not discriminate as to which hydrogen atom they would react to. Van 't Hoff quickly concluded that the only spatial arrangement consistent with this finding was one where the carbon atom lay at the center of a regular tetrahedron (a four-sided figure with equilateral triangles as sides) with each of the other four molecules at a corner of the tetrahedron. This was the first peek that scientists had ventured to take into the three-dimensional structure of molecules.

Van 't Hoff claimed as the inspiration for his discovery, Johannes Wislicenus's studies on lactic acid, in which he declares that differences in some chemical properties may be attributable to structural differences in their molecules. On the other hand, Joseph Achille Le Bel, who, incidentally, had studied with van 't Hoff under Kekule, and who published a similar conclusion to van 't Hoff, claimed Louis Pasteur as his inspiration.

Optically active compounds:

One property chemists had trouble explaining was the optical activity of different substances in solution. A beam of light is said to be polarized when, according to the wave theory of light, all the waves are in the same plane. Jean-Baptiste Biot had established in the early nineteenth century that when a beam of polarized light passes through the solutions of some organic compounds, the plane of polarization of the light is rotated, sometimes to the right, sometimes to the left. He postulated that this could be due to the lack of symmetry in the structure of the molecules, meaning that the molecules must have a left-hand and right-hand side that are distinguishable from one another. Louis Pasteur surveyed a large number of substances that exhibit this property, and found that they all consisted of a carbon atom surrounded by atoms of more than one element. Van 't Hoff showed how his stereochemical model of carbon compounds could account for this property.

Van 't Hoff was the first chemist to peer into the three-dimensional structure of molecules. The techniques that led to the discovery of the three-dimensional structure of proteins and to deciphering the winding staircase-like structure of the DNA molecule can be traced to his work more than half a century earlier.

Van 't Hoff's exploration of the factors that drive the speed of chemical reactions were of major importance to the chemical industry, and to the establishment of the field of physical chemistry.

Upon studying the lives of famous scientists, van 't Hoff concluded that imagination plays an all-important role in the ability of a researcher to make new discoveries.

Source:newworldencyclopedia

#chemistry #3dstructure #discovery #nobelprize