Engineers Tap Algae Cells for Electricity

With the help of photosynthesis plants convert light energy to chemical energy. This chemical energy is stored in the bonds of sugars they use for food. Photosynthesis happens inside a chloroplast. Chloroplasts are considered as the cellular powerhouses that make sugars and impart leaves and algae a green hue. During photosynthesis water is split into oxygen, protons and electrons. When sunrays fall on the leaves and reach the chloroplast, electrons get excited and attain higher energy level. These excited electrons are caught by proteins. The electrons are passed through a series of proteins. These proteins utilize more of the electrons’ energy to synthesize sugars until the entire electron’s energy is exhausted.

Now researchers at Stanford are inspired by a new idea. They intercepted the electrons just after they had been excited by light and were at their highest energy levels. They put the gold electrodes inside the chloroplasts of algae cells, and tapped the electrons to create a tiny electrical current. It may be the beginning of the production of “high efficiency” bioelectricity. This will be a clean and green source of energy but minus carbon dioxide.
Stanford University researchers got their work published in the journal Nano Letters (March, 2010). WonHyoung Ryu is the main author of this work. He says, “We believe we are the first to extract electrons out of living plant cells.” The Stanford research team created an exclusive, ultra-sharp gold nanoelectrode for this project.
They inserted the electrodes inside the algal cell membranes. The cell remains alive throughout the whole process. When cells start the photosynthesis, the electrodes attract electrons and produce tiny electric current. Ryu tells us, “We’re still in the scientific stages of the research. We were dealing with single cells to prove we can harvest the electrons.” The byproducts of such electricity production are protons and oxygen. Ryu says, “This is potentially one of the cleanest energy sources for energy generation. But the question is, is it economically feasible?”
Ryu himself provides the answer. He explained that they were able to extract just one picoampere from each cell. This quantity is so little that they would require a trillion cells photosynthesizing for one hour just to get the same amount of energy in a AA battery.
Another drawback of such an experiment is that the cells die after an hour. It might be the small trickles in the membrane around the electrode could be killing the cells. Or cells may be dying because they’re not storing the energy for their own vital functions necessary to sustain life. To attain commercial viability researchers have to overcome these hurdles.
They should go for a plant with larger chloroplasts for a larger collecting area. For such experiment they will also need a bigger electrode that could tap more electrons. With a longer-surviving plant and superior collecting ability, they could harness more electricity in terms of power.

Nanosolar: Solar Power at a Lower Cost

In a market-friendly scenario, Nanosolar claims to be able to produce electricity at 5-6 cents/kilowatt hour almost as cheap as power from coal and at about one-third the cost of other solar power. Nanosolar claims: Nanosolar claims mass production of solar power will now become feasible with their differently manufactured solar panels. Conventional silicon-made solar panels have a stiff competitor from CIGS semiconductor printed solar panels – composed of copper, gallium, indium and selenium – which perform as good as conventional solar panels in lab conditions. An inexpensive printing process makes it ideal for mass production by an automated facility with robots and other hi-fi equipment

Solar panels re-invented:
The low efficiency which haunted Nanosolar raising the cost of installation of solar-power arrays and which necessitated more solar panels has been addressed successfully by Nanosolar. The larger panels they are now using generate more power; with modifications that cut the cost, the larger panels generate 160 watts as against 70 watts by First Solar.
Power output:
According to Martin Roscheisen, Nanosolar’s CEO, in sunny locations, power plants with these panels could produce electricity at 5-6 cents per kilowatt hour. Mr. Roscheisen claimed even the 16.4 % energy conversion in sunlight as against 20% energy conversion in the lab and only 11% of that energy into electricity by Nanosolar is high enough compared to conventional solar panels.
Raring to go!
Based at Germany and enjoying a huge market thanks to government’s incentives for the solar cells made of CIGS semiconductor, Nanosolar is ready to storm the market with producing solar cells twice as fast as the conventional solar-panel factories. He is ready to give First Solar a run for its money.
Not bankable?
But the claimed low costs are attainable only at close-to-capacity operation level which is at best a distant possibility. Because despite all improvements, under the current economic scenario, Nanosolar is finding it tough to find banks willing to back power plants which may be ready to use their solar panels. Now the panels are not yet “bankable;” but Nanosolar is hoping for a better future.

Concept Bridge could Generate Electricity from Moving Cars

 When people thought about telephones in underdeveloped countries it was like they would have to invest a huge sum in infrastructure in the form of poles, wires and equipments. No one imagined about cell phones at that time. They transcend most of the infrastructures. In this hour of impending depletion of fossil fuels we have to think differently. The steps may seem small today but they might leave a huge impact in future. Today we can’t be a bystander and watch the energy scene passively

We know that solar and wind energy is the richest sources of energy. Tiago Barros and Jorge Pereira have created a design that increases the ‘green’ quotient of a bridge. We might have experienced the fact that when cars pass below a bridge, they increase the velocity of the neighboring wind. Tiago Barros and Jorge Pereira are harnessing that quality of the wind. Their designed bridge will light up itself in the night with the power generated by the cars that pass below the bridge by the day. It works on the principle of energy conversion, i.e. from wind to electric energy. The designers believe that cars passing under the bridge will add to wind velocity by up to 20%, optimizing the rotation of the panels. The cross-wind bridge will act like a multipurpose envelope. A unique kind of envelop that will capture the wind power from a network of 2,188 light-weight rotating panels. This bridge is called as Cross-Wind Bridge.
In this design an induction power system plays an important role. It exchanges wind energy through an electromagnetic band located on each panel. This culminates into a power source which is used to light the bridge by night. This clean and green source of energy will increase the green quotient by 35% because of the punctured membrane utilized in the bridge cladding. Why? Because it is made of recycled steel from the auto industry.
Tiago Barros and Jorge Pereira team consists of Ines Valente, Rob Foote III, Yoon-Young Hur, Natalie Bazile and Joao Paulo Fernandes. The cross-wind bridge is 40m in length running southwest / northwest direction over the Segunda circular highway in Lisbon. Its path’s oblique angles are positioned in such a way that they can optimize predominant wind directions. This bridge has another unique feature; it provides a tunnel for pedestrians and bikers too. Cross-Wind Bridge also reconnects and makes accessible the remaining paths of Maria Droste Vila split by the highway and surrounded by Telheiral’s residential park. Again , the bridge gives out an all inclusive message in magnetizing sustainable development and turning rural fragments into areas of public green space.

The Kite Wind Generator

It’s an expert estimation that the total energy stored in wind is 100 times higher than actually needed by humans on this earth. The catch is that we have to learn and devise ways to trap this wind power blowing across the planet earth. Experts tell us one more thing that most of the wind energy is available at high altitude and we can’t manufacture turbines of that height. So we have to think of new ways to trap that wind power blowing at a significant height. Some experts estimate that the total energy contained in wind is 100 times the amount needed by everyone on the planet. However, most of this energy is at high altitudes, far beyond the reach of any wind turbine.

Now researchers want to create something like a kite that can float at a higher altitude to trap the wind energy.
Kite Wind Generator
The Kite Wind Generator simply known as KiteGen is an Italian company. They are installing kites that sprout from funnel like structures. They are mounted on giant poles. When wind blows these kites come out of funnels. For short, use kites that spring from funnels on the end of giant poles when the wind blows. For each kite, winches release a pair of high-resistance cables to control direction and angle. These kites are light and ultra-resistant. These kites are similar to those used for kite surfing – light and ultra-resistant, capable of flying up to a height of 2,000 meters.
KiteGen people have thought of new ways to exploit the wind power existing at an altitude. They have discarded the usual heavy and static plants like current wind turbines, but opted for light, dynamic and intelligent ones. They have installed all the light devices in the air and heavy ones on the ground for generating power. The basics of the wind turbines and KiteGen are same. But they have moved the heaviest parts to the ground. They claim that the resulting structure, base foundation included, is much lighter and cheaper. They have also provided flexibility regarding the height of kites. If the wind is strong at certain height, the height of the kite too can be adjusted accordingly. If today wind if blowing nicely at 1000m, say, kites can be adjusted at the same height. If tomorrow the strong wind is blowing at certain other height, wind kites can be flown at that height to gain maximum advantage of the wind power.
The swirling kites prompt KiteGen’s core in motion, and the rotation activates large alternators producing a current. They also have a control system on autopilot. This control system manipulates the flight pattern so that maximum power can be generated be it night or day. The KiteGen people are concerned with the environment too. They don’t want the lives of birds to be affected by their flying kites. So they have installed the advanced radar system that can redirect kites within seconds in case they detect flying of birds.
The cost of the technology is US$750,000 and it won’t takes acres and acres of space like a wind farm. You can install the whole machinery within a diameter of just 100 meters. KiteGen claim that they can produce half a GW of energy, and produce it at a cost of US$2.5 per GW. Its creators, Sequoia Automation, say a 2,000 meter-version would generate 5GW of power.

Airborne Wind Turbines

Yes, the day is not far off when reaching for sky is the new motto for generating cost-effective renewable energy. Initially it was considered to be technically non-viable to tap high-altitude winds. But today, technically-advanced materials and innovative computer know-how are giving new life to this scheme with innovative autonomous aerial structures using wind energy to generate power.

Joby Energy, Inc. model:
Joby Energy Inc., exploring wind turbine technology, has developed a computer-controlled multi-winged kite-like structure which floats around 2000ft height for generating power. Mr Bevirt is the inventor of this aerial kite. The DC power generated is transferred to ground through tether to a ground station to be converted to AC power ready for consumption via a power grid.
Advantages of high altitude wind turbines:
Extolling the virtues of these autonomous aerial power generators, Mr. Bevirt said, “Operating at five times the height of a conventional turbine increases both wind speed and consistency resulting in more power, more often.” Professor William Moomaw, Director, Centre for International Environment and Resource Policy at Tufts University, Massachusetts, agreed, “The higher speeds at the greater altitudes should produce significantly more electricity.”
Mega source up above:
Actually statistics is strongly in favor of these air-borne wind turbines because globally tropospheric winds carry nearly carry potential to produce 870 terawatts of energy whereas our total demand put together is only 17 terawatts. Along with Joby Energy Inc., other companies like Kitegen focusing on power kites, Magenn Power’s Air Rotor System called (MARS) with a helium filled blimp design and Sky WindPower with flying electric generators are trying to tap this mega source to produce clean and cost effective power.
Tread with care:
US Federal Aviation Administration has asked the flying altitudes restricted to 2000 ft or less in spite of the potential to reach heights up to 35,000. Also Professor Mick Womersely, Director of Sustainability, Unity College, Maine, expressed the obvious concerns about possible hazards and reliability of these prototypes.
Reassurance about safety:
Mr. Bevrit confirmed about the safety measures like ability to ground the turbines in gale-force-type winds, multiple motor designs to circumvent motor failure and on-board stand-by batteries to land the system in case of tether malfunction. He assured that road-testing in sparsely-populated areas with good strong wind is being planned and all safety measures will be paid attention to.
Joby Energy’s aim:
Joby Energy aims to create enough systems to power 150 homes (about 300kW) and move on to larger systems producing 3MW or more. In Mr. Bevirt’s words, “Our goal is to deploy airborne wind turbines globally to produce cheap, consistent, and abundant electricity for a prosperous planet.”

Audi Testing Water in Electric Car Production

The entrepreneurial Audi is planning to take advantage of changes portended in the automobile market with an eye towards emission-free vehicles. Until now Audi has not shown any interest in electric car production but now that there is a growing demand for small and electronically-driven cars, Audi is keen to join the race.

Others in the foray:
Rival manufactures like BMW with Megacity electric vehicle and Daimler with Smart ED have already taken the leap with cute little electric cars on their way to produce vehicles with zero carbon emission. Now Audi is joining the arena and the world is keenly interested to see what kind of a car will be Audi’s gift to the automobile world.
Supermini:
A supermini is reportedly the car on the anvil as per a report by What Car? Audi CEO, Rupert Stadler says,”…so we are planning for a changing market when customers will be ready.” Audi is already busy on the electric sports car planned with a limited number release by 2012, to be marketed under the E-tron name.
Audi Zero?
The plan is on for a mass-market electric car – supermini – is very much ongoing as confirmed by CEO Stadler in Munich at the launch of Audi 7 Sportback. Audi’s electric car can either be something similar to A1 e-tron Concept or a smaller platform named ‘Audi Zero’. Audi will not do any spin-off versions like Skoda or Seat had done.
Future plans:
Audi is working on the basis that in about 3-5 years time, market will be ready for such electric cars and that will be the time when these cars will also be viable. In Stadler’s words, “What we then need are customers willing to pay a premium these vehicles demand… We are a technical company planning technical solutions, but we are also entrepreneurial, so we are planning for a changing market… in 10 years time I see a point where we have clean energy too. Then the situation will be perfect.”

Best Green Car of 2011: Chevrolet Volt

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt became the first electric car to be chosen as the Green Car of the Year 2011. Chevrolet Volt received this honor at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which is held every year by the Green Car Journal. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt electric car was chosen as the electric car of the year by an eminent jury, which consisted of the editors of Green Car Journal, Jean Michel President of Ocean Futures Society, Carl Pope Chairman of Sierra Club, and the host of Tonight Show Jay Leno, who happens to be a big fan of cars.

The competition for the Green car of the year was tough. In the finals 2011 Chevrolet Volt had to compete in this category with other big names in the field of electric cars like the Nissan Leaf, the Lincoln MKZ, Hyundai Sonata, two hybrids and a Ford Fiesta subcompact.
So what makes 2011 Chevrolet Volt, run on electricity a green car? The following two features contribute in this direction,

• It can run up to 40 Km on electricity before the backup gas engine comes into play
• The car has a special backup engine, which never lets you run out of electric power. The driver may not have any kind of fear in this regard.

Other Accomplishments
Motor Trend and Automobile Magazine has also named Chevrolet Volt, which will be available in the open market very soon, as the car of the year.
Social responsibility that General Motors takes-up towards environment
Apart from being voted the Green car of the year, General Motors, which makes Chevrolet, is also taking other steps to do its bit to clear up the environment, which is being polluted by its cars. It has contributed $40 million as donation to a local environment project in the US hoping to reduce carbon emission by 8 million metric tons. Since the 1.9 million Chevrolets sold before 2012 are expected to release roughly the same amount of carbon dioxide, this will kind of compensate the environment for the loss General Motors has caused to it.
Mike Robinson, the Vice-President for environment, energy and safety in General Motors says that apart from fuel economy and other features, Chevrolet wanted to do something that makes their brand distinguished. So they have set-up this program, the first by any auto maker.
Taking up Other social obligations.
General Motor’s Vice President of US marketing Joel Ewanick has also said that though it will take two more years to choose such projects. In the future the company will help various projects like small-scale wind energy and weatherizing schools by providing them aid and grants .

Hybrid Organic Solar Cells Now More Efficient

Success greets the research team of National Research Council’s National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) and the University of Alberta. The plastic solar cells have now an operating life of 8 months instead of mere hours. And they are low-cost, environmentally efficient, unsealed plastic dollar cells – a green energy source. Developing economically viable plastic solar panels and to produce them in large scale has been the long time goal for the scientists as the cost of ultra high-purity silicon used in the traditionally manufactured solar cells is quite prohibitive. These are the solar cells of future – to be available to common man easily. A University of Alberta-NINT team has been focusing on this for quite some time.

Prototype solar cell:
A multi-disciplinary team has been successful in developing a prototype solar panel. It was operating at high capacity for about 10 hours. After that, problems developed within which reduced the efficiency of solar cells. They found that electrode’s chemical coating was the root cause of the problem. For past few months, work has been going on to correct this problem.
Role of electrode:
Producing power from solar cells is the key responsibility of electrodes and the research team found that the unstable chemical coating started leaking around the circuitry of the solar cell and reduced production capacity. They developed a new coating which solved this problem.
New polymer coating:
The team led by David Rider, consisting of Michael J. Brett, Jillian Buriak from U of A-NINT has been successful in developing a durable and longer lasting coating of polymer for the electrode which stopped the chemical leaking that reduced the production capacity. This new polymer coated electrode makes the solar cell work at high capacity continuously.
Success story:
At the time David Rider and colleagues presented their research paper in Advanced Functional Materials on June 22, 2010, the solar prototype cell had performed already for 500 hours at high capacity. In the highly competitive field of plastic solar-cell technology, this research by U of A-NINT team is considered to be a great achievement. And the cell continued to work for 8 months altogether before being damaged in transit between laboratories.
Future:
The future looks bright for hybrid organic solar cells. In Rider’s words “Inexpensive, lightweight plastic solar-cell products, like a blanket or sheet that can be rolled up, will change the solar energy industry”.

Solar Wind Power: Generating Power In The Future

As the world discovers new ways to meet its growing energy needs, energy generated from Sun, which is better known as solar power and energy generated from wind called the wind power are being considered as a means of generating power. Though these two sources of energy have attracted the scientists for a very long time, they are not able to decide, which of the two is a better source to generate power. Now scientists are looking at a third option as well. Scientists at Washington State University have now combined solar power and wind power to produce enormous energy called the solar wind power, which will satisfy all energy requirements of human kind.

Advantages of Solar wind power.

• The scientists say that whereas the entire energy generated from solar wind will not be able to reach the planet for consumption as a lot of energy generated by the satellite has to be pumped back to copper wire to create the electron-harvesting magnetic field, yet the amount that reaches earth is more than sufficient to fulfill the needs of entire human, irrespective of the environment condition.
• Moreover, the team of scientists at Washington State University hopes that it can generate 1 billion billion gigawatts of power by using a massive 8,400-kilometer-wide solar sail to harvest the power in solar wind.
• According to the team at Washington State University, 1000 homes can be lit by generating enough power for them with the help of 300 meters (984 feet) of copper wire, which is attached to a two-meter-wide (6.6-foot-wide) receiver and a 10-meter (32.8-foot) sail.
• One billion gigawatts of power could also be generated by a satellite having 1,000-meter (3,280-foot) cable with a sail 8,400 kilometers (5,220 miles) across, which are placed at roughly the same orbit.
• The scientists feel that if some of the practical issued are solved, Solar wind power will generate the amount of power that no one including the scientists working to find new means of generating power ever expected.

How does the Solar wind power technology work?
The satellite launched to tap solar wind power, instead of working like a wind mill, where a blade attached to the turbine is physically rotated to generate electricity, would use charged copper wire for capturing electrons zooming away from the sun at several hundred kilometers per second.
Disadvantages of Solar wind power
But despite the fact that Solar wind power will solve almost all the problems that we were to face in future due to power generating resources getting exhausted, it has some disadvantages as well. These may include:

• Brooks Harrop, the co-author of the journal paper says that while scientists are keen to tap solar wind to generate power, they also need to keep provisions for engineering difficulties and these engineering difficulties will have to be solved before satellites to tap solar wind power are deployed.
• The distance between the satellite and earth will be so huge that as the laser beam travels millions of miles, it makes even the tightest laser beam spread out and lose most of the energy. To solve this problem, a more focused laser is needed.
• But even if these laser beams reach our satellites, it is very doubtful that our satellites in their present form will be able to tap them. As Greg Howes, a scientist at the University of Iowa puts it, “The energy is there but to tap that energy from solar wind, we require big satellites. There may be practical constraints in this.”

Forget Solar Power, Human Power is the Future

That may be a little aggressive, but Princeton University engineers have developed a device that may change the way that we power many of our smaller gadgets and devices. By using out natural body movement, they have created a small chip that will actually capture and harness that natural energy to create enough energy to power up things such as a cell phone, pacemaker and many other small devices that are electronic.

The chip is actually a combination of rubber and ceramic nanoribbons. When the chip is flexed, it generates electrical energy. How will this be put to use? Think of rubber soled shoes that have this chip embedded into them and every time a step is taken, energy is created and stored. Just the normal walking around inside the office during a normal work day would be enough to keep that cell phone powered every day.
An application that has pacemaker users excited is the fact that this chip could be placed in proximity of the lungs and it would create natural power for their pacemakers. Currently, the only way to replace the battery is to go through another surgery, but the natural motion of the lungs would create enough movement to continuously power the device via this chip. Finally, only one surgery would be needed and unless there was actually a problem with the pacemaker itself, there would no longer be the need to go under the knife again.
This technology is an incredible development in that it can have so many different applications. The engineers at Princeton were able to combine the materials in a way that created an electric charge when pressure is applied to the chip. It actually converts about 80% of the mechanical energy into electrical energy. In the case of the pacemaker, this means a constant power source as the lungs would obviously continuously apply the pressure that was needed to create the energy.
Additionally, the new power chip is pretty much ready to go in regards to being an implant device. Because of the materials that it is made up of, the body should readily accept it without fear of rejection. When we think of how many varieties of medical devices that are available and require power sources, this is a truly amazing invention.
While it would appear that the technology itself is very futuristic, once it is able to be mass produced, it is probably reasonable to assume that the chips will not actually be all that expensive because of the materials that are being used in its construction. They may be a bit pricey when they first hit the market, but as they become more widely used and available, that price tag should come down.
Similar technology has already been introduced in other products, but nothing that has the flexibility of this product. Human power is nothing new, but to be able to have medical devices implanted that require nothing more than normal breathing or walking is quite amazing.

New Solar Charger for Laptop Computers

Now we can have a green charger for our computers and laptops. We can take our laptops to outdoors and keep on using them without bothering that the charge will run out. Muzatch offers a solar charger for our computers. It is known as the MZH-SP-6500 / SP-6000 renewable energy charger. If one is traveling long distance in a car, or going on a business trip or in the wilderness and needs emergency power for laptop, this solar charger will come handy.

Muzatch claims that their solar charger can charge 95% of the digital products currently available in the market. You can plug in this solar charger into mobile phone, PDA, DC, digital camera, digital learning machine, MP3, MP4 and PSP game, mobile DVD players. This solar charger can be compatible with ASUS, HP, Acer Travelmate Series, Compaq Prosignia Series, ThinkPad 1410/1411.1441/1450/1451/1472/730T /350/500/510 Series, Compaq Armada 100/4100/4200, Contura Series, Toshiba 4090XDVD/2545CDS Series T Series and many digital products:
Muzatch reassures that they have a built-in lithium-ion battery. Its capacity is of 12,000 mAh. Muzatch “solar charger can deliver an output voltage ranging from 5V to 22V”. This solar charger is also protected from over charge, over release, over current and short circuits due to built-in intelligence monitoring. Muzatch solar charger is available for $149.95.
When we use a completely new product, as a user we experience certain kind of tension and uneasiness. Here the manufacturer can step in and come out with information user is seeking to assure the readers. Muzatch solar charger manufacturer explains that their product is made up of highest quality lithium ion electricity core-300. They also say that their charging and discharging capacity is more than 90%.
Their product is sound on the portability front too. They offer personalized design; the single manual pressed key makes using the charger more simple.

Using Carbon Nanotubes to Produce Electricity

 The researchers of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have uncovered a new phenomenon of carbon nanotubes. They found that carbon nanotubes discharge powerful waves of electricity under certain circumstances. MIT team named it as thermopower waves. They are pinning their hope on thermopower waves to produce electricity to be utilized in small electrical appliances or maybe in large-scale applications too. This project was funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the US 

This discharge of electricity from carbon nanotubes is a very rare occurrence. Traditionally we derive electricity from water, sun, wind, coal or heat produced by burning of fossil fuels. The thermopower wave, “opens up a new area of energy research, which is rare,” said Michael Stranowho is MIT’s Charles and Hilda Roddey associate professor of Chemical Engineering. His work was published in scientific journal Nature Materials.
Carbon nanotubes are submicroscopic structures. They are just billionths of a meter in diameter. Carbon nanotubes resemble honeycombs. For the past twenty years scientists are focusing their energies on carbon nanotubes, graphene sheets and buckeyballs. They find these three most promising for clean and green energy research. These three substances can be valuable for the medicine, nanotechnology, geoengineering, biology, and for the electronics industry.
Researchers associated with this project find the whole phenomenon quite unusual. They have observed that as the moving pulses of heat pass through the carbon naotubes, electrons also travel along. This movement of electrons is responsible for generation of electric current. Strano says, “There’s something else happening here. We call it electron entrainment since part of the current appears to scale with wave velocity.”
Researchers coated carbon nanotubes with a layer of reactive fuel that can generate heat by decomposing. This fuel was then ignited by a laser beam or high voltage spark at the one end of the nanotube. This ignition resulted in fast moving thermal waves. When this thermal wave enters into carbon nanotube its velocity increases thousand times than the fuel itself. When heat waves contact the thermal coating they produce a temperature of 3,000 kelvins. This ring of heat runs to the length of the tube 10,000 times faster than the normal spread of this chemical reaction. The unusual occurrence is that electrons also travel with the heat inside the tube. Strano says that events like this “have been studied mathematically for more than 100 years” but he was the first to envisage that such waves could be guided by a nanotube or nanowire and that this wave of heat could thrust an electrical current all along that wire.
Strano explains, “There’s something else happening here. We call it electron entrainment, since part of the current appears to scale with wave velocity.” He confirms that the thermal waves are behaving like ocean waves. We have observed that when ocean waves travel they carry the debris on their surface. Strano thinks that this property is responsible for the high power output by the system. Strano suggests the possible use of this discovery. He says that one possible use could be enabling new kinds of ultra-small electronic devices having sensors or treatment devices that would be injected into the body.
Ray Baughman, director of the Nanotech Institute at the University of Texas at Dallas, shares his views regarding the whole project that it “started with a seminal initial idea, which some might find crazy, and provided exciting experimental results, the discovery of new phenomena, deep theoretical understanding, and prospects for applications.” Because it revealed a previously unknown phenomenon, he says, it could open up “an exciting new area of investigation.”

Solar-Powered Keyboards

If you have opted for a wireless keyboard you know the importance of rechargeable batteries and a wall charger. Although it is easier to charge the batteries after a while it becomes an annoyance to change them repeatedly. Now Logitech is coming out with a solar-powered keyboard that will be free of such hassles.

No need for you to be outdoors to charge your solar powered keyboard. You can stay indoors and the solar powered keyboard will charge itself from indoor lights. They have embedded an integrated power-indicator light that will warn you in advance about the power status of the keyboard. Citizen (the watchmaker) has offered solar-powered watches for years that tell time and get power from sunlight or indoor lights. Now Logitech is making use of the same technology in their solar-powered keyboards.
Denis Pavillard is the vice president of product marketing for Logitech’s keyboards and desktops. He says, “The keyboard is still the best input device for typing emails and IMs, updating your Facebook™ page or posting responses to your favorite blogs — and the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 is the next big innovation in keyboard technology. The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard is powered by light but can work in total darkness for up to three months. Plus, with its PVC-free construction and fully recyclable packaging, it’s designed to minimize its footprint.”
Portability: 1/3-Inch Thick
Sleekness and portability are important qualities in marketing an electronic gadget. Logitech has not ignored these important aspects. Their keyboard is only 1/3-inch thick maintain a thin profile.
Benefits of Cord with Convenience of Wireless
The Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 takes care of the wireless connectivity too. It offers Logitech Advanced 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity. They also say that Logitech Advanced 2.4 wireless is equipped with 128-bit AES encryption with the keyboard that ensures the one of the highest levels of security available.
Keyboard is easy on Fingers
Logitech calls their keyboard as Logitech Incurve keys™. It is a known fact that a concave design, along with incurve keys are easy on the shape of human fingertips, They also say that soft, rounded edges make it easy for your fingers to glide from key to key.
Plus, the tiny Logitech® Unifying receiver is small enough to stay in your laptop, so there’s no need to unplug it when you move around. And you can easily add up to six Logitech Unifying and Unifying-ready mice and keyboards — without the hassle of multiple USB receivers.

Renewable Electricity From ... Paint

Researchers at Swansea University are developing a new, eco-friendly technology that could generate as much electricity as 50 wind farms.

Dr Dave Worsley, a Reader in the Materials Research Centre at the University’s School of Engineering, is investigating ways of painting solar cells onto the flexible steel surfaces commonly used for cladding buildings.

“We have been collaborating with the steel industry for decades,” explains Dr Worsely, “but have tended to focus our attention on improving the long-term durability and corrosion-resistance of the steel. We haven’t really paid much attention to how we can make the outside of the steel capable of doing something other than looking good.


Dr Dave Worsley (right) and Dr Trystan Watson of the Materials Research Centre at Swansea University, investigating the efficiency of new solar cells under a Dyesol Solar Simulator.
click here

“One of our Engineering Doctorate students was researching how sunlight interacts with paint and degrades it, which led to us developing a new photovoltaic method of capturing solar energy.”

Unlike conventional solar cells, the materials being developed at Swansea are more efficient at capturing low light radiation, meaning that they are better suited to the British climate.

A research grant from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Welsh Energy Research Centre (WERC) enabled Dr Worsley to work with leading metals group Corus to investigate the feasibility of developing an efficient solar cell system that can be applied to steel building products.

The success of the study led to the award of a three-year project worth over £1.5 million by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Swansea University is now leading a partnership with Bangor University, University of Bath, and the Imperial College London to develop commercially viable photovoltaic materials for use within the steel industry.

Paint is applied to steel when it is passed through rollers during the manufacturing process, and it is hoped that the same approach can be used to build up layers of the solar cell system. The researchers’ aim is to produce cells that can be painted onto a flexible steel surface at a rate of 30-40m2 a minute.

Dr Worsley believes that the potential for the product is immense.

He said: “Corus Colours produces around 100 million square metres of steel building cladding a year. If this was treated with the photovoltaic material, and assuming a conservative 5% energy conversion rate, then we could be looking at generating 4,500 gigawatts of electricity through the solar cells annually. That’s the equivalent output of roughly 50 wind farms.”

Dr Worsley will be working closely with Corus to research practical, cost-efficient methods of mounting the system on steel structures, with a view to the eventual commercialisation of the product.

He said: “This project is a superb example of the value of collaboration between universities and industry, and it is definitely important for Wales. We have a genuine opportunity to ensure that Wales remains at the forefront of this technology worldwide, driving the industry and revolutionising our capacity to generate electricity.

“I think it shows great vision from the Welsh Assembly Government that they funded the initial feasibility study. Even if we are only mildly successful with this project, there is no doubt that we will be creating an exciting hi-tech steel product that will preserve the long term future of the Welsh steel industry.”

Data Exchange - DataX Software

The ETAP Data Exchange module (DataX) is used to import, export, and synchronize data between external data sources and ETAP. DataX transforms legacy data into ETAP, interfaces ETAP to external architecture such as AutoCAD®, Microstation®, or synchronizes ETAP with other applications such as Intergraph SmartPlant® Electrical. Customizable data mapping, intelligent error checking, and automated one-line diagram generator are amongst the many utilities provided with ETAP DataX.

Data Exchange - DataX Key Features

Import & export data Data synchronization Automatic one-line diagram generation Intelligent error checking Customizable data mapping Real-time data exchange Raw data IEEE format

DataX - Base

In addition to the standard data exchange capabilities such as import IEEE and RAW data formats, DataX has been enhanced to read SEQ and DYR file formats for importing unbalanced impedance data as well as dynamic data for transient stability studies.

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Panel Systems Software

Developed for electrical designers and engineers, the Panel Systems module combines a graphical user interface and the intelligence of ETAP to easily design and analyze low voltage distribution systems. Coupled with exclusive features and advanced capabilities, Panel Systems is a quality tool you would only expect from the leader in power system analysis software.

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Panel System Key Features

Intelligent panel design & analysis 3-phase (3W & 4W) networks 1-phase (2W & 3W) networks 1-phase (A, B, C, AB, BC, CA, & 3W) networks ANSI & IEC Standards NEC load factors Load flow with graphical per phase display Automatic device duty evaluation & alerts Automatic updating of upstream panels Export panel schedules to Excel® Panel schedule with internal & external feeders & loads

Panel System Standards ANSI IEC NEC click for larger image

Panel System Capabilities

Column & standard layouts Unlimited branch circuits Unlimited sub-panel connections External network representation Internal (spreadsheet) load modeling Intelligent panel calculations Detailed panel loading summary Dynamic panel schedule updates Continuous & non-continuous load calculations

1-Phase Load Flow

Model 1-Phase (2W & 3W) networks Load flow with graphical per phase display

1-Phase Short Circuit

Model 1-Phase (A, B, C, AB, BC, CA, & 3W) networks Automatic device evaluation & alerts

Phase & Wire

3-Phase 3 Wire 3-Phase 4 Wire 1-Phase 2 Wire 1-Phase 3 Wire

Panel Code Factors

NEC load demand factors Customizable multiplying factors

Flexible Operation

Diverse operating conditions Multiple loading categories Multiple demand factors Unlimited configurations Different nameplate data Global & individual bus load diversity factors

Libraries

Extensive protection & control device libraries Comprehensive feeder & cable libraries Customizable libraries User-configurable defaults & layouts

Reporting

Customizable panel schedules in Crystal Reports® format Comprehensive load summary for panel sizing Customizable reports for branch circuit evaluation Export one-line diagrams with results to third party CAD systems

Study Options

Ten loading categories per circuit User-definable load types & factors

Panel Systems are an integral part of ETAP used for representing power and lighting panels in electrical systems. ETAP provides a comprehensive model for designing and scheduling AC panel systems including 3-Phase and 1-Phase panels. A panel is a collection of branch circuits feeding system loads. ETAP supports an unlimited number of circuits within a panel. A branch circuit in a panel is modeled with complete details, which includes connected load information, protective device ratings, and feeder data. The ETAP panel model is supported by comprehensive breaker, fuse, and cable libraries. Default and typical data are provided to save you time and money when designing and scheduling panels. ETAP allows you to graphically connect subpanels to upstream panels. There is no limit to the number of subpanels you can connect. The Panel Schedule Editor provides a user-friendly graphical interface with a lot of suitable default values and built-in electrical intelligence. The panel schedule fields are designed in a manner to minimize data entry errors, while eliminating the repetitive task in completing panel schedules.

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Transmission & Distribution Line Software

ETAP Transmission and Distribution Line Design and Analysis Program calculates conductor electrical parameters, sag and tension-temperature characteristics, conductor ampacity-temperature characteristics and ampacity derating-temperature characteristics of overhead transmission and distribution lines. In this module for the transmission circuit studies, a comprehensive model of mutual coupling effect between different line circuits is employed to allow accurate modeling of the system. A user-friendly graphical interface displays the layout of circuits and ground wires for transmission tower and overhead lines. It is an easy to use tool for sizing transmission and distribution lines, designing new transmission and distribution circuits, and verifying the parameters of existing overhead lines.

Transmission & Distribution Line Analysis Software Key Features

Graphical user interface User-friendly input & output Flexible data entry for the overhead line physical or electrical (impedance) parameters One or multiple circuits for (single, two or three-phase lines), with transposed or untransposed configuration One or multiple ground wires, with both segmented & unsegmented arrangements Predefined and selectable typical transmission line layouts User-defined general line layout Multi-layer earth models Modeling of mutual coupling effect between different line circuits Including tower ground resistance User-definable conductor and ground wire data

Transmission & Distribution Line Analysis Software Calculations

Automatic calculates overhead line impedance based on physical parameters Calculated sag, tension, ampacity-temperature & ampacity-temperature derating characteristics Performs sag and tension vs. temperature analysis Performs sag and tension analysis for towers with same or different height Performs line conductor ampacity vs. temperature analysis Displays overhead line parameters in either phase or sequence domain Provides an integrated tool to size existing overhead lines or design new lines Provides physical to electrical (impedance) parameters calculation Can be integrated with all system studies

Transmission & Distribution Line Analysis Software Reporting

Series circuit impedance matrices in the phase domain Series circuit impedance matrices in the sequence domain Shunt circuit susceptance matrices in the phase domain Shunt circuit susceptance matrices in the sequence domain Sag and tension vs. temperature characteristics Conductor ampacity vs. temperature characteristics

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Distributions Systems Software

In addition to Network Analysis capabilities, ETAP offers several powerful analysis modules for Distribution Systems design. ETAP supports balanced or unbalanced 3-phase, 2-phase and 1-phase systems for radial, looped or meshed network including per-phase voltage drop and power flow analysis, fault calculations, Protective Device Coordination (ETAP Star) Software, Optimal Capacitor Placement Software, Optimal Load Flow Software, Reliability Assessment Analysis Software, Switching Sequence Management Software, and more.

Distributions Systems Software Key Features

Balanced and unbalanced load flow and voltage drop analysis Protective device coordination including extensive recloser modeling and sequencing Optimal capacitor placement and sizing to minimize losses and improve voltage profile Comprehensive load modeling Advanced reliability assessment and distribution reliability analysis Switching sequence management for load transfer simulations GIS Map interface

To compliment the above solutions, ETAP Real-Time provides extremely powerful online tools such as Monitoring, Prediction, Load Forecasting, and more for distribution networks.

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Ground Grid Design Assessment Software

The next generation Ground Grid Systems module enables engineers to quickly and accurately design and analyze a safe and cost effective ground protection.

Methods

Finite Element IEEE 80-1986 IEEE 80-2000 IEEE 665-1995

Ground Grid Design Assessment Software Key Features

Calculate the tolerable Step and Touch potentials Compare potentials against the actual, calculated Step and Touch potentials Optimize number of conductors with fixed rods based on cost and safety Optimize number of conductors and rods based on cost and safety Calculate the maximum allowable current for specified conductors Compare allowable currents against fault currents Calculate ground system resistance Calculate ground potential rise User-expandable conductor library Allow a two-layer soil configuration in addition to the surface material Ground grid configurations showing conductor and rod plots Display 3-D/contour Touch, Step and Absolute voltage plots Calculate Absolute, Step and Touch potentials at any point in the configuration Conductor/Rod can be oriented in any possible 3-D direction Handle irregular configurations of any shape Grid rotation animation

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Renewable Energy Software

Design, Analyze & Operate Green Energy Power Systems with ETAP ETAP enables designers and engineers to conceptualize the collector systems, determine wind penetration and perform grid interconnection studies. ETAP includes comprehensive renewable energy models combined with full spectrum power system analysis calculations for accurate simulation, predictive analysis, equipment sizing, and field verification of wind and solar farms. ETAP Real-Time allows for a logical and smooth transition of the design model into an operator / dispatcher tool for monitoring, controlling and managing power throughout the generation network. ETAP puts you in control of your renewable energy generation in order to maximize output and improve efficiency:

Dedicated generation farm HMI Generation management system Environment monitoring Wind turbine performance monitoring Solar panel & inverter performance monitoring Prediction of system response to operator actions Sequence of events

Full spectrum, electrical network design & analysis for:

Collector system design Wind penetration studies Grid interconnection studies

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Dynamics & Transient Stability SoftwareDynamics & Transient Stability Software

Dynamics & Transient analysis software enables engineers to simulate sequence of events including power system disturbances and evaluate system stability by utilizing an accurate power system dynamic model. Dynamics & Transient analysis software include modules Transient Stability Analysis Program, Generator Startup Analysis Program, Wind Turbine Generator Analysis Program, User-Defined Dynamic Models (UDM) Program, and Parameter Estimation Program.

Dynamic and Transient Stability Software Key Features

Comprehensive synchronous and induction machine models Frequency-dependent machine and network modeling Library of pre-built governor / exciter / PSS / wind turbine models Short-time and long-time simulation Unlimited sequence of events Model typical & common electrical power system disturbances/operations

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Cable Systems Software

ETAP Cable Systems help engineers design cable systems to operate to their maximum potential while providing secure and reliable operation. The process is systematic and simple. ETAP contains Cable Thermal Analysis Software, Cable Pulling Software, and automatic Cable Ampacity Software, and Cable Sizing Software calculations for a complete and wide solution for your cable system needs.

Automatic cable sizing based on various industry standards Steady-state and transient temperature calculations Cable ampacity optimization based on loading demands Calculate pulling tensions at various locations

Protective Device Coordination Software Overview

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ETAP offers a fully integrated Protective Device Coordination and Selectivity software (Star) for performing steady-state and dynamic device coordination, protection, and testing. Enabling power and relay engineers to easily and efficiently perform protective device coordination studies. The built-in intelligent features of this module provide informed and reliable recommendations regarding the feasibility of the protective devices under consideration. Engineers can quickly realize possible design issues and make informed decisions to improve system reliability, increase system stability, and boost financial savings.

Using intelligent one-line diagrams, comprehensive protective device libraries, and a three-dimensional database, ETAP Protective Device Coordination software is an essential tool when performing overcurrent protective device coordination analysis. Along with plotting protective device operating curves, ETAP Protective Device Coordination software provides tools capable of plotting the starting, inrush, damage, etc. curves for equipment like motors, transformers, generators, and cables. Offering insight into troubleshooting false trips, relay and breaker mis-operation, and mis-coordination.

Network Analysis Software

Network analysis includes a powerful set of analytical tools that allow for simulation, prediction, design and planning of system behavior utilizing an intelligent one-line diagram and the flexibility of a multi-dimensional database. Network analysis includes Arc Flash Analysis Software, Short Circuit Analysis Software, Load Flow Analysis Software, Motor Starting Analysis Software and Load Analyzer Software. Key Features Built-in Multi-Report Result Analyzers Embedded Automatic Device Evaluation Comply with latest industry standards (ANSI/IEEE/IEC and more) Graphically display extensive Critical & Marginal Alerts click here Full color customizable Crystal Report viewers Load terminal calculations eliminates need for including extra nodes Integrated modules utilizing ETAP Wizards / Scenarios

Arc Flash Software

ETAP Arc Flash Analysis software brings you new and enhanced capabilities which allow for faster and easier assessment of arc flash hazards and arc flash incident analysis. Identify and analyze high risk arc flash areas in your electrical power system with greater flexibility by simulating and evaluating various arc flash mitigation methods in your arc flash study. The Arc Flash Analysis program is a completely integrated module that solves multiple scenarios to determine worst-case arc flash energy levels. The Arc flash calculation software module also produces professional reports and high quality arc flash safety labels at a press of a button. The Arc Flash Analysis module also includes comprehensive single phase and three phase arc flash assessment calculations as well as an invaluable arc flash analyzer tool to summarize results from the arc flash study. What is Arc Flash?

Arc Flash Software Key Features

Arc flash study based on IEEE 1584a 2004 Arc flash study in compliance with NFPA 70E 2000, 2004, & 2009 1-Phase, 3-phase, & UPS arc flash hazard calculations Arc flash in Enclosed & open air equipment Integrated with ETAP Short Circuit Analysis software ANSI / IEC Integrated with ETAP Star protective device coordination software Work permits & arc flash data sheets and arc flash labels Arc Flash Result Analyzer   click for larger image

Automated Arc Flash Software

Automatically determine the Arcing Fault Clearing Time Instantly determine arc flash protection, prohibited, restricted, & limited approach boundaries in compliance with NFPA 70E Arc Flash software determines individual arcing current contributions The Automated Arc Flash Labeling Software generates arc flash labels for every incoming main circuit breaker cubicle, load circuit breaker, & motor starter bucket Generate arc flash labels for every load terminal point including induction motors, synchronous motors, capacitor banks, & static loads

Arc Flash Calculator

This simplified arc flash calculator provides a quick tool that uses typical gaps and x-factors from IEEE 1584. The arc flash calculator is a sample of arc flash results for low voltage panel boards and is provided for informational purposes only.

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Fast and Efficient Arc Flash Analysis

Run multiple arc flash calculations with one-click & analyze all of the different results in minutes Define customized arc flash parameters and arc specs or use system-calculated results to determine the arc flash energy Use the built-in Arc Flash Calculator for quick incident energy results and to perform quick “what if” scenarios in your arc flash study

Arc Flash Software Capabilities

Automatic consideration of generator AC decay & decrement curve during arc flash conditions AC motor arc flash current decay handling Time varying fault clearing time calculation & short circuit current decay Arc flash calculation for electrical power systems including 3-phase & 1-phase panel / UPS systems Extended search past the point of multiple upstream source Perform arc flash analysis in Radial & multiple source systems Automatic or user-defined source protective device search algorithm option to simulate worse arc flash hazard conditions. The arc flash analysis software allows the simulation of differential relays, maintenance mode switches, & arc flash photo-sensors Arc Flash software simulates the effect of Zone Selective Interlock Protection (ZSIP) in your arc flash study The arc flash analysis software generates IEEE 1584 & NFPA 70E look-up table results for different working distances & provides simple summary reports to communicate the arc flash analysis results Alerts for personal protective equipment (PPE) ATPV rating violations (maximum allowable PPE arc rating alerts) Comprehensive protective device library

Arc Flash Videos, Tutorials & White Papers

Refer to the arc flash videos below to learn more about ETAP arc flash evaluation software features and capabilities.

1 ETAP Arc Flash Overview (60 minutes) ETAP Arc Flash Analysis automatically estimates the Incident Energy released in the event of an arc fault and determines the required Flash Protection Boundary. 2 ETAP 7.1 - Arc Flash (16 minutes) ETAP 7.1 now includes the ability to customize and link arc flash electrical safety labels using Microsoft Word. This webinar explains step-by-step instructions. Tutorials 1 Arc Flash Analysis Software brochure (133 MB) Reduce Risk, Improve Safety, Enforce Compliance 2 Arc Flash (163 KB) Introduction to ETAP Arc Flash Hazard Analysis module with instructions on how to setup arc flash calculations. 3 Arc Flash Analysis Done Right (1.87 MB) Arc flash analysis system modeling and studies for existing systems. 4 FCT Not determined (981 KB) The most common roadblocks to finding fault clearing time in arc flash calculations 5 Arc Flash Analysis calculates arc flash hazard distance (172 KB) The comparison of NFPA 70E-2000 an IEEE 1584-2002 standards for Arc Flash Analysis