New Discovery may lead to Solar revolution

[French Ninja]

Given that Exxon doesn't send an assassin his way...
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/oxygen-0731.html

In a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power from a marginal, boutique alternative into a mainstream energy source, MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy for use when the sun doesn't shine.

Until now, solar power has been a daytime-only energy source, because storing extra solar energy for later use is prohibitively expensive and grossly inefficient. With today's announcement, MIT researchers have hit upon a simple, inexpensive, highly efficient process for storing solar energy.

Requiring nothing but abundant, non-toxic natural materials, this discovery could unlock the most potent, carbon-free energy source of all: the sun. "This is the nirvana of what we've been talking about for years," said MIT's Daniel Nocera, the Henry Dreyfus Professor of Energy at MIT and senior author of a paper describing the work in the July 31 issue of Science. "Solar power has always been a limited, far-off solution. Now we can seriously think about solar power as unlimited and soon."

I really hope Big Oil doesn't succeed in covering this up; they're truly against the march of progress and it's about time someone tells them to go **** themselves.

 

[Ennui]

My friend and I had quite a discussion about this last night. I'll get excited when it is actually applied.

 

[blahblahblah]

According to the article, the "abundant, non-toxic natural materials" is water. Depending on how pure the water needs to be for this process, this is either a great invention or just another retarded idea. I suppose we can give them an A for effort since they are MIT researchers.

 

[<RJMC>]

I think oil companies wouldnt go to cover or assasin them

they just will buy all of it

though is interesting

 

[Gray Fox]

I vaguely remember you.

thnx for ruining it RJMC

 

[hool10]

Yeah but it just stores it though and solar energy is shit. It's enough to power my welding helmet and calculators and that's about it.

 

[DEATHMASTER]

I heard if a satellite absorbs solar power it is a lot more efficient (in space), if only there was an efficient way to transmit it from that to the ground to constantly power like everything. Wonder how long until this storage stuff could be of practical use though.

 

[VirusType2]

Solar energy would be good for the roof of a house, but not for the roof of an electric car, I don't think.

A large panel will be able to harness a small amount of electricity, but a small panel will not harness a large amount of electricity.


It has it's applications, but it's not the answer to all energy needs

 

[hool10]

I heard if a satellite absorbs solar power it is a lot more efficient (in space), if only there was an efficient way to transmit it from that to the ground to constantly power like everything. Wonder how long until this storage stuff could be of practical use though.

That's because the Suns rays don't have to pass through clouds, smog, and the ozone layer.

 

[Shift]

Solor energy is a great idea but still flawed, you need a lot of solar panels, big solar panels, to get considerable amounts of energy, not to mention in some countries, i.e. the uk, its not always going to be sunny.

 

[Raziaar]

Do you guys ever think there will be a future where energy is at a surplus for every single person on earth? Like, where it's so dirt cheap that it isn't any longer an issue... with other issues taking its place.

 

[dfc05]

Solar energy would be good for the roof of a house, but not for the roof of an electric car, I don't think.

A large panel will be able to harness a small amount of electricity, but a small panel will not harness a large amount of electricity.


It has it's applications, but it's not the answer to all energy needs

Well, with the new technology, the solar power could be used to easily create hydrogen for hydrogen-powered cars, which seems to be the main advancement here. As mentioned in the article, this could also be used to "store" wind energy, which is also useful since wind energy tends to peak at night. I'm not sure why the article is focusing so closely on solar power when the actual technology is for efficiently splitting water using any source of power.

In any case, this just pushes toward hydrogen fuel cells, which brings up the issue of establishing the infrastructure to provide hydrogen for vehicles. And there's also the problem of whether you want to go for hydrogen vehicles, or plug-in electric vehicles (which could work well with wind energy since you would plug in your car at night). Anyways, this is a good thing but there are still issues that need to be worked out.

 

[TechnoHippyChic]

Interesting.

This thread is better, though.

 

[hool10]

Do you guys ever think there will be a future where energy is at a surplus for every single person on earth? Like, where it's so dirt cheap that it isn't any longer an issue... with other issues taking its place.

Nope. The the world is expanding too fast, thanks to China and other countries. It's gonna be like Total Recall or something. Your gonna have to buy breathable air like some type of oil hook-up guy every month and homes will be in bubbles. Then drinkable water must be bottled, no more from the tap. They already have in India pure oxygen you can buy from bars. They say it gives you a high from the extra oxygen in your blood. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_bar *Holy ****! Canned oxygen for breathing AHAHAHAHA!

 

[Raziaar]

Interesting.

This thread is better, though.

You were first though... French Ninja just had a case of the Sterns.

Nope. The the world is expanding too fast, thanks to China and other countries. It's gonna be like Total Recall or something. Your gonna have to buy breathable air like some type of oil hook-up guy every month and homes will be in bubbles. Then drinkable water must be bottled, no more from the tap. They already have in India pure oxygen you can buy from bars. They say it gives you a high from the extra oxygen in your blood.

I don't think it will be like that at all... We're already progressively becoming more aware and responsible about the environment, gradually growing in our effectiveness. If we continue making it profitable for companies to remain clean, then we will continue along to at least maintain the status quo.

 

[Dog--]

New discoveries always 'may lead to something'..

It's starting to piss me off, don't ****ing announce it unless it's already lead to that 'special something' ffs.

BTW, all these stories always get posted here on HL2.net, too. Don't post shit unless it's already in effect, bitches.

And @ hool - Spaceballs, you bastard.

 

[Bad^Hat]

Jesus I hope this one sticks. All these alternative energy ideas lately seem to be like nailing jelly to a wall and hoping it stays.

 

[Druckles]

Oh look. Another one.

*leaves*

 

[DEATHMASTER]

It'd be nice if one actually works, and becomes practical.

 

[Parrot of doom]

Given that Exxon doesn't send an assassin his way...
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/oxygen-0731.html

I really hope Big Oil doesn't succeed in covering this up; they're truly against the march of progress and it's about time someone tells them to go **** themselves.

Why would 'big oil' as you call it want to cover up such an invention?

Do you really believe that energy production is the only source of revenue for oil companies?

 

[nurizeko]

The ultimate fallacy in this whole thing is believing wind turbines and solar panels are the answer.

Were talking about industrial scale energy production, so unless were willing to shit on the environment to build wind turbines and solar farms all over our hills and countryside, forget it.


If only we could make our own mini-sun (if it was even possible), that'd be our energy needs sorted.

 

[alehm]

If I were a rich CEO of an oil company I would buy the patent to this technology then sit on it. It would be so awesome. See you later I am going to vacation in fiji.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

Do you guys ever think there will be a future where energy is at a surplus for every single person on earth? Like, where it's so dirt cheap that it isn't any longer an issue... with other issues taking its place.

Death-ray proliferation :|

Oil companies should embrace the change, buying patents and then manufacturing the products will land them as much money, not to mention aftersales such as maintenance of their products and the subsequent replacement of a faulty product, which will happen regardless.

 

[Tyguy]

Why would 'big oil' as you call it want to cover up such an invention?

Isn't this quite obvious?

Do you really believe that energy production is the only source of revenue for oil companies?

The majority

 

[Baserape>]

Creating a giant bicycle pump(bigger than our solar system) could be mankind's answer to future renewable energy.

 

[Parrot of doom]

Isn't this quite obvious?

No? Why on earth would they restrict another form of revenue for themselves?

Believe in water powered cars that have been 'suppressed' eh?

 

[dfc05]

No? Why on earth would they restrict another form of revenue for themselves?

Believe in water powered cars that have been 'suppressed' eh?

Although some oil companies are starting to invest in renewables, it only makes up a very small percentage of their expenditures.

Notice how Exxon invests 0% in renewables. Note also that Exxon did (and continues to) spend millions to fund climate change skeptics.

 

[Minty The Fox]

Have any of you heard of Wood Gas Generators? theres some Swedish guy or something that runs his car completely off the fumes from burning wood. its awesome, I've seen it work. The Germans used it as an alternative fuel source in World War 2 as well.

 

[Parrot of doom]

Although some oil companies are starting to invest in renewables, it only makes up a very small percentage of their expenditures.

Notice how Exxon invests 0% in renewables. Note also that Exxon did (and continues to) spend millions to fund climate change skeptics.

So? Why would they invest in technologies that offer little or no profit?

You're not a businessman are you.

 

[<RJMC>]

So? Why would they invest in technologies that offer little or no profit?

so when oil ends they will have the next energy technology

 

[Parrot of doom]

Oil isn't ending though. For a very long time.

 

[Baal]

New discoveries always 'may lead to something'..

It's starting to piss me off, don't ****ing announce it unless it's already lead to that 'special something' ffs.

BTW, all these stories always get posted here on HL2.net, too. Don't post shit unless it's already in effect, bitches.

And @ hool - Spaceballs, you bastard.

While I don't agree with your harsh tone, I can't possibly disagree with your overall point.

If all of the wonderful new technologies that have been posted here (and on the Internet in general) were put into production the day they were announced, the World would be nearly a perfect place already.

 

[dfc05]

Why would 'big oil' as you call it want to cover up such an invention?

Do you really believe that energy production is the only source of revenue for oil companies?

Isn't this quite obvious?

No? Why on earth would they restrict another form of revenue for themselves?

Although some oil companies are starting to invest in renewables, it only makes up a very small percentage of their expenditures.

Notice how Exxon invests 0% in renewables. Note also that Exxon did (and continues to) spend millions to fund climate change skeptics.

So? Why would they invest in technologies that offer little or no profit?

You're not a businessman are you.

You're not very consistent are you.

I don't really care so I'm not gonna sit here and argue. I already found out in that global warming thread how time-consuming and irritating that is. I just thought this was blatantly odd.

 

[Raziaar]

Oil might end for automobile fuel, but it won't end for other things.

Almost everything around us in our lives is in part thanks to oil.

Even our aspirin is made from oil.

Clothing Ink
Heart Valves
Crayons
Parachutes
Telephones
Enamel
Transparent tape
Antiseptics
Vacuum bottles
Deodorant
Pantyhose
Rubbing Alcohol
Carpets
Epoxy paint
Oil filters
Upholstery
Hearing Aids
Car sound insulation
Cassettes
Motorcycle helmets
Pillows
Shower doors
Shoes
Refrigerator linings
Electrical tape
Safety glass
Awnings
Salad bowl
Rubber cement
Nylon rope
Ice buckets
Fertilizers
Hair coloring
Toilet seats
Denture adhesive
Loudspeakers
Movie film
Fishing boots
Candles
Water pipes
Car enamel
Shower curtains
Credit cards
Aspirin
Golf balls
Detergents
Sunglasses
Glue
Fishing rods
Linoleum
Plastic wood
Soft contact lenses
Trash bags
Hand lotion
Shampoo
Shaving cream
Footballs
Paint brushes
Balloons
Fan belts
Umbrellas
Paint Rollers
Luggage
Antifreeze


Model cars
Floor wax
Sports car bodies
Tires
Dishwashing liquids
Unbreakable dishes
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Combs
Tents
Hair curlers
Lipstick
Ice cube trays
Electric blankets
Tennis rackets
Drinking cups
House paint
Rollerskates wheels
Guitar strings
Ammonia
Eyeglasses
Ice chests
Life jackets
TV cabinets
Car battery cases
Insect repellent
Refrigerants
Typewriter ribbons
Cold cream
Glycerin
Plywood adhesive
Cameras
Anesthetics
Artificial turf
Artificial Limbs
Bandages
Dentures
Mops
Beach Umbrellas
Ballpoint pens
Boats
Nail polish
Golf bags
Caulking
Tape recorders
Curtains
Vitamin capsules
Dashboards
Putty
Percolators
Skis
Insecticides
Fishing lures
Perfumes
Shoe polish
Petroleum jelly
Faucet washers
Food preservatives
Antihistamines
Cortisone
Dyes
LP records
Solvents
Roofing


And so much more.

 

[Godron]

I'm not sure why the article is focusing so closely on solar power when the actual technology is for efficiently splitting water using any source of power.

Me neither. This sounds more like a technology for storing energy, not generating it. It said explicitly that any source of current could power it:

When electricity -- whether from a photovoltaic cell, a wind turbine or any other source -- runs through the electrode, the cobalt and phosphate form a thin film on the electrode, and oxygen gas is produced.

I'm kind of annoyed at how they didn't post any figures. For all practical purposes, this device is basically a rechargable battery. It would be special if it could convert energy from electrical to chemical and back again more efficiently than standard batteries, but they didn't show any figures comparing it. Although they do say it's highly efficient.
And another nitpicking: they said that this could be made with "abundant" materials. I was under the impression that platinum was quite rare.

While I don't agree with your harsh tone, I can't possibly disagree with your overall point.

If all of the wonderful new technologies that have been posted here (and on the Internet in general) were put into production the day they were announced, the World would be nearly a perfect place already.

Yeah, that's true. There's a fair amount of crazy awesome shit I've read in New Scientist which sounds like it ought to revolutionise whatever field, but months later I hear nothing of it. I expect these developments just take a very long time to mature into something that actually integrates noticably into our lives. I think we can trust this one though, given how enthusiastic they sound. Plus, it is MIT, some bloke experimenting in his garage (unlike certain other threads).

 

[Dog--]

lol Raz, just simply saying 'Plastic' would've cut your list down to 1 word..