The Lamp Powered by Algae & Photosynthesis

[whitecrowro]

I do not believe it. (nanometer connection to chloroplasts?!... sorry but never heard of that)

 

[tharkis842]

Couple photosynthesis with solar power cells, and we've got a nice renewable power source that doesn't take much to maintain. Go science!

 

[Gin Fushicho]

Neat. :3 But I'm not blowing on it. xD

 

[kingssman]

Extremely tiny (on the nanometer scale) electrodes are inserted directly into algae's cells, right into the chloroplasts.

Wait he did What!? as cool as this may be it doesn't seem very economical to insert that many electrodes precisely (unless there's some unknown mechanical means). Now granted its a nice solar cell that doesn't require precious metals to create.

 

[vinehoyle]

Not a bad idea, but sadly it's basically a novelty toy. The real means to free ourselves from oil will be to temporarily embrace oil itself. First, convert the ENTIRE gas engine line up to diesel. 33% less fuel consumed right off the back. In the meantime, stop work on these fuel cells. They are a dead end since they require platinum and other extremely precious metals. They'll never get the price down on a fuel cell stack enough to make it economical to be honest. Spend that money on electrolysis of preferably ocean water. Build a hydrogen pipeline system. Expensive yes, but one time deal really. Then finally once enough hydrogen gas is being produced, eliminate natural gas and coal use. That's still producing carbon dioxide. Then begin work on a ultra high pressure hydrogen storage for vehicles. Once that is done it's a simple matter to convert the internal combustion engine over to burning straight hydrogen gas. And that ladies and gents is how we'll fix our energy problems!

 

[a4mula]

Everyone is intent on focusing ways in which we can create new energy sources. That's fine but I think by doing so we overlook our ability to make current (and future) sources more efficient by recapturing lost energy.

Hybrids currently use systems that capture some of the kinetic energy that would normally be lost when autos brake converting it back to potential energy. This potential - kinetic - potential cycle has yet to be explored on the scale it deserves.

Heat to Electricity conversion:
http/www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/06/070603225026.htm

Most energy loss occurs due to heat. If the proposed link above is ever fully realized we could see our current energy efficiency skyrocket.

Just seems to me that we should first tackle our ability to use energy efficiently instead of new ways to harvest it.

 

[Guest]

1. How many algal cells are there in that flask..and how does Mr.Thomson support the claim that there's an electrode in every one of them? 2. How is the electricity "directed" to the battery?
3. In order to produce energy; the cells have to be fixing CO2 to make sugar (and metabolizing the resulting sugar) . How is CO2 (as well as O2 for respiration) admitted to the flask continuously?

 

[Guest]

For any energetically relevant device the costs are not negligible. Since our civilization is based on energy, there is a significant correlation between the money spent on a device and emitted CO2 somewhere in the value chain. So if this lamp is more expensive than the saving on the bill, then there is a high chance that it results in more CO2 than it saved.

Far fetched example: the Prius is only a saving, if you use it a lot in cities, and if you use it for a long time. Since its quality is better than average, that's itself a CO2-saving.

 

[rsud]

[citation][nom]TomD_1[/nom]While this is all very good research/tech, I don't really see the whole "solar powered lamp" thing catching on[/citation]

Perhaps you miss that you can run wires from the device to run itnernal lights. I sit in my office during the day with hundreds of florecent tube lights above me. Algae units on the roof can suppliment or run the interior lights.

 

[gogogadgetliver]

Innovative??

Guys I invented a solar powered rock lamp. That's right it's a rock! You just place it out in sunlight and the surrounding areas will be lit up.

Am I a genius or what??

 

[Azriel4444]

Yuck, not putting my lips on that!