Who says only humans can feel the beat of pop-rock music. Turns out that a certain kind of solar cell can too; and in doing so, radically increase its performance.

Researchers in the UK, at Queen Mary University of London and Imperial College London have discovered that blasting beats at zinc-oxide solar cells makes them perform up to 50% better. According to the researchers, pop and rock music gets the cells going more than classical music, but they suggest that any noise with a broad range of frequencies will produce similar effects.

Zinc-oxide nanorod designed solar cells are capable of responding to a broad range of sound frequencies, particularly that of rock music. The more energy delivered by the sound, the more the pressure wave deforms the rods resulting in a stronger electric field generated, which converts more incoming light to electricity-i.e. a higher conversion efficiency/better overall performance. The challenge now is two-fold: develop better solar cells; and optimize them for sound to energy conversion. And of course to do this as cheaply as possible. Today, zinc-oxide nanorod cells are just 1-2 percent efficient, but tomorrow they could be significantly greater.

Think of all the natural places there is a broad range of sound available to help boost nearby solar cell efficiencies, like: airports, large commercial roof-top air conditioning units, power plants, industrial process sites, railroads and transportation centers, and possibly along highways. Why let the noise go to waste……co-locate solar cells nearby.

Rock on!

Editor’s Deep Dive

• http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22029424.600-pop-music-makes-solar-cells-produce-more-electricity.html#.Uvj6GXmYYdU
• http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_6-11-2013-11-35-3
• http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2013/nov/28/solar-cells-get-down-to-pop-music

Thomas Edison said … “I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that. I wish I had more years left.”

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In honor of Thomas Edison’s birthday, February 11th, the Edison Innovation Foundation announces the winners of its recent “Nominate Your Favorite Teacher Contest”; and here are the results!

First Place $500 – Mrs. Tracie Kania, Smith Middle School, Troy, Michigan

Second Place $250 – Mr. Anthony Cho, Mechanics Grove Elementary School, Mundelein, Illinois

Third Place $150 – Ms. Maggie Kane, Granite Mountain Middle School, Prescott, Arizona

Due to an overwhelming number of qualified entries, runner up awards of $50 will also be given to:

• Ms. Vicky Jordan, Wellington Middle School, Wellington, Colorado

• Mr. Ken Rudolph, Sullivan College of Technology and Design, Louisville, Kentucky

• Mr. Kenton Swartley, Cedar Falls High School, Cedar Falls, Iowa

• Ms. Belinda Gonzales, William J. Clinton Elementary School, La Joya, Texas

• Mrs. Julie Seymour, Monument Academy, Monument, Colorado

We also have two Goodreads book giveaway winners who have won a beautiful, hardcover, illustrated edition of “Edison and the Rise of Innovation” –  signed by the author, Leonard DeGraaf. Each book also packaged with Edison-themed lightbulb paperclips and a brief pocket biography. Congratulations to our two winners:

• Sandy McCarthy from Pheonix, Arizona

• Sarah Moore from Alberta, Canada

Congratulations to all. Stay tuned for future Edison Innovation Foundation events.

John P. Keegan
President and CEO
Edison Innovation Foundation

“Edison” presents, in intimate detail, the man who helped engineer the modern world. One of history’s most prolific inventors, and perhaps America’s first celebrity, Thomas Alva Edison did more than bring incandescent light into every household and industry; he created a world-renowned brand, raised capital to support research and business, and pursued patents for his 1,000+ inventions.

Leonard DeGraaf, archivist for the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, chronicles Edison’s life and work, making lively and lavish use of never-before-published primary sources, including Edison’s personal and business correspondence, lab notebooks, drawings, and advertising material, along with both historic and modern photographs.

ENTER and WIN

Enter to win one of two beautiful, hardcover, illustrated editions – each signed by the author, Leonard DeGraaf. Each book will also come packaged with Edison-themed lightbulb paperclips and a brief pocket biography.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Edison and the Rise of Innovation

by Leonard DeGraaf

Giveaway ends February 10, 2014.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

 NOTE: This book can also be purchased at Barnes and Nobles or Amazon.