New solar prediction system gives time to prepare for the storms ahead
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:00:00 EDT
A new method of predicting solar storms that could help to avoid widespread power and communications blackouts costing billions of pounds has been launched by researchers in the UK.

Off-the-shelf dyes improve solar cells
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EDT
Scientists report success in boosting the ability of zinc oxide solar cells to absorb visible light simply by applying a blended mixture of various off-the-shelf dyes commonly used in food and medical industries -- in a soak-then-dry procedure not unlike that used to color a tee-shirt in a home washing machine.

200-fold boost in fuel cell efficiency advances 'personalized energy systems'
Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EDT
The era of personalized energy systems -- in which individual homes and small businesses produce their own energy for heating, cooling and powering cars -- took another step toward reality as scientists reported discovery of a powerful new catalyst that is a key element in such a system. The advance could help free homes and businesses from dependence on the electric company and the corner gasoline station.

Self-cleaning technology from Mars can keep terrestrial solar panels dust free
Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EDT
Find dusting those tables and dressers a chore or a bore? Dread washing the windows? Imagine keeping dust and grime off objects spread out over an area of 25 to 50 football fields. That's the problem facing companies that deploy large-scale solar power installations, and scientists have now developed a possible solution -- self-dusting solar panels -- based on technology developed for space missions to Mars.

Major hurdle cleared for organic solar cells
Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EDT
The basis for solar energy is absorbing light and then effectively disassociating electrical charges. Researchers report that conjugated polymers are excellent materials for such a system, thanks to their light absorption and conduction properties.