People across the world are trying out various crazy ideas to try and harness the renewable sources of energy to the maximum possible extent and we love every effort that is made in this direction. Some of them might really change the face of the planet, while most efforts just might not make anything beyond a minor difference to the current state of things. But then, every little improvement is really welcome. Now researchers at Swansea University are developing a new, eco-friendly technology that could generate as much electricity as 50 wind farms. So, we decided to give you an up and close look at the latest effort of producing current out of paint!
Dr Dave Worsley, a Reader in the Materials Research Center at the University’s School of Engineering, is investigating ways of painting solar cells onto the flexible steel surfaces commonly used for cladding buildings. We all know that the sun damages a layer of paint that is exposed to it over long period of times. This very fault of paints has given this unique idea birth. Researchers believe that they can coat the steel with a paint that allows it to produce electricity. To further improve the technology, it is being made in such a fashion that it reacts to even low intensity light.
A research grant from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Welsh Energy Research Centre (WERC) enabled Dr Worsley to work with leading metals group Corus to investigate the feasibility of developing an efficient solar cell system that can be applied to steel building products. The success of the study led to the award of a three-year project worth over £1.5 million by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Now there is a wonderful example of how success breeds success. If this indeed comes true, then very soon our buildings will be producing all the power we need and that is an amazingly wonderful idea; even if it is just a fantasy. The idea is good, hopefully the execution is better.
