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Posted on 09/18/2008 10:25:13 AM PDT by pollwatcher
BEAVERTON, Ore. – A new invention could revolutionize solar energy – and it was made by a 12-year-old in Beaverton.
Despite his age, William Yuan has already studied nuclear fusion and nanotechnology, and he is on his way to solving the energy crisis.
It all started with Legos - after he learned nanotechnology to make robots take off. The seventh grader then got an idea inspired by the sun.
"Solar it seems underused, and there are only a few problems with it," Yuan said.
Encouraged by his Meadow Park Middle School science teacher, the 12-year-old developed a 3D solar cell.
"Regular solar cells are only 2D and only allow light interaction once," he said.
And his cell can absorb both visible and UV light.
"I started to realize I was actually onto something," Yuan said.
At first, he couldn't believe his calculations.
"This solar cell can't be generating this much electricity, it can't be absorbing this much extra light," he recalled thinking.
If he is right, solar panels with his 3D cells would provide 500 times more light absorption than commercially-available solar cells and nine times more than cutting-edge 3D solar cells.
"Which would make solar energy actually a viable energy source for the Pacific Northwest," Yuan said.
While college students have come up with unusual solar cars and the state of Oregon recently unveiled solar panels to power highway lights, Yuan is thinking global.
"It'll have a really positive impact on society and the environment," he said.
His next step is to get a manufacturer and market it.
Yuan is flying out to Washington D.C. on Monday to accept a $25,000 scholarship for his research. He earned the Davidson Fellow award, which is for those 18 and under.
Obviously this kid's intellect was so far above the writer's that thats the best he could do.........
you don't become a Davidson fellow at age 12 by discovering something that “smells like cold fusion”.
Do you always shoot from the lip?
Do you engage your brain prior to typing?
Did you take the time to read his bio?
I think the smell is coming from your direction - especially when you poo-poo something you know nothing about.
Lurking’
¿¿¿¿¿¿, Negative, I prefer shooting from the hip.
It's great the kid is into science, and I'm sure he is very bright - However; Modern photovoltaics are approx 20% efficient, and Yaun claims to have increased the efficiency 500 fold. 10,000% efficiency is beyond highly improbable.
a quote from this online article:>> http://www.katu.com/news/local/28432984.html
The money quote is “500 times more light absorption” when you start with a fraction 500 times does not void the laws of physics.
Regards,
Lurking’
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And when this kid makes billions off his invention the liberals will be saying he’s too rich and we should take it away from him to help others. In their greed they will conveniently forget that he will have already helped others through his invention.
Those solar hot dog cookers were good enough for my generation and oughta be good enough for his.
With more brevity, it is safe to say that the vast majority of journalists are innumerate, and that this is reflected in their reporting.
Laughable nonsense from one who prefers ideology to reality.
That kid's got money written all over his name.
yitbos
Hah! When I wuz a kid we used Honus Wagner baseball cards to generate that motorcycle sound on our bikes!
"Solar it seems underused, and there are only a few problems with it," Yuan said.Gotta love kids, eh?
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