Creating Power From Wasted Heat

Roland Piquepaille writes "Today, about 90 percent of the world's electricity is created through an indirect and inefficient conversion of heat. It is estimated that two thirds of the heat used by thermoelectric converters are wasted and released. But now, researchers from the University of California at Berkeley have found a new way to convert this wasted heat into electricity by trapping organic molecules between metal nanoparticles. So far, this method of creating electricity creation is in its very early stage, but if it can scale up to mass production it may lead to a new and inexpensive source of energy."

Open that fridge!

[cat_jesus]

So now instead of yelling at my kids for leaving the fridge door open I'll have to get them to leave it open every now and then in order to keep the electricity bill down.

I could really dig have a lower electricty bill in the summer rather than a higher one. When can I build a house with this stuff?

Re:Open that fridge!

[Wavicle]

In this house, we obey the laws of thermodynamics!

Re:New source of power ?

[0racle]

Dude, this is like the next step to a self powering device. It would run forever.

Awesome!

[nacturation]

So this means global warming is a good thing. With all the electricity we'll be able to make, it's no problem to just run enough air conditions to solve the problem.
 

Re:Awesome!

[nacturation]

Air conditioners also sometimes make a nice "whooooosh!" sound, similar to the one just heard.