Posted on 07/11/2006 3:21:09 PM PDT by LibWhacker
Researchers work to shrink technology that harnesses sun's energy to both heat and cool
Every day, the sun bathes the planet in energy--free of charge--yet few systems can take advantage of that source for both heating and cooling. Now, researchers are making progress on a thin-film technology that adheres both solar cells and heat pumps onto surfaces, ultimately turning walls, windows, and maybe even soda bottles into climate control systems.
On July 12, 2006, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) researcher Steven Van Dessel and his colleagues will announce their most recent progress--including a computer model to help them simulate the climate within their test structure atop the RPI Student Union--at the Solar 2006 Conference in Denver, Colo.
For 4 years, the researchers have been working on their prototype Active Building Envelope (ABE) system. Comprised of solar panels, solid-state, thermoelectric heat pumps and a storage device to provide energy on rainy days (literally), the ABE system accomplishes the jobs of both cooling and heating, yet operates silently with no moving parts. NSF is supporting the team to determine if a microscale version of the technology will function effectively.
According to Van Dessel, thin-film advances could potentially lead to functional thermal coatings composed of transparent ABE systems. Such systems might vastly improve the efficiency of temperature-control systems.
"The ease of application would make it possible to seamlessly attach the system to various building surfaces," he added, "possibly rendering conventional air conditioning and heating equipment obsolete."
Van Dessel hopes a thin-film version of the ABE system will see uses in a range of industries, from aerospace--in advanced thermal control systems in future space missions--to the automotive industry, where it could be applied to windshields and sun roofs, giving them the ability to heat or cool a car's interior.
"It also may be possible to one day use the ABE system to create packaging materials for thermal control," he added, "which could lead to things like self-cooling soda bottles."
Screw soda, what about beer?
Self-cooling beer cans will be the "killer app" of the 21st century.
quit being a bogart and pass the joint already.. :) hehe
Oh hurry, please! My electric bill has gone up $100 per month in the last 18 months. Is this technology too good to be true?
Ice is civilization.
I hope not!
He could bemoan the 'problem' of the loss of millions of heating and airconditioning-repair jobs because of this technology.
This sounds very interesting in the way of computers as well. I wonder if they could coat processors with this stuff?
Speaking of: I have a solution to Global Warming.
We coat the planet in this material, and set the thermostat to 76 degrees.
Viola. Problem solved.
To heck with you. I'm gonna wrap myself in it and breathe through a straw.
mesquito coast?
Nuclear winter?
They've got a abstract that's over my head at the website! But it sounds like you need solar energy to get it to work. So maybe you'd have to put your computer out in the sun to cool the cpu down! :-)
WG isn't here anymore? I didn't know that!
"mesquito coast?"
A know it all who is sometimes right!
yep.
I'm gonna build a spaceship out of it and take a vacation at the center of the sun! ;)
Yeah.
He got a layoff from Free Republic.
I guess his job here was outsourced.
It is too good to be true...not to worry--the oil companies will squelch this technology so electric companies continue to need their product, so they can continue to earn record breaking profits on the 'free market' of their monopolized goods. I predict they will kill this the same way they helped kill the electric car.
And speaking as a newbie: I hate you for it.
;^)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.