January 2009

Plastic Solar Cells For Portable Electronic Devices Coming Soon

Researchers are developing plastic solar cells for portable electronic devices. The prototype, a cell measuring eight square inches (50 square centimeters), is expected to achieve 8 percent efficiency and to have a lifetime of at least three years.

'Smart' Fridges Stay Cool By Talking To Each Other

'Smart' fridges that run on renewable electricity and are capable of negotiating the most energy efficient way to keep food cold have been developed by researchers in Australia.

Chemistry Discovery Brings Organic Solar Cells A Step Closer

Inexpensive solar cells, vastly improved medical imaging techniques and lighter more flexible television screens are among the potential applications envisioned for organic electronics. Recent experiments may bring these closer thanks to new insights into ways molecules absorb and move energy.

Tilting At Wind Farms

A way to make wind power smoother and more efficient that exploits the inertia of a wind turbine rotor could help solve the problem of wind speed variation, according to new research.