Next-Gen Glitter-Sized Photovoltaic Cells Unveiled 155
MikeChino writes "Sandia National Laboratories recently announced a new breed of glitter-sized solar cells made from crystalline silicon that use 100 times less material to generate the same amount of electricity as standard solar cells made from 6-inch square solar wafers. Perfect for soaking up the sun’s rays on unusual shapes and surfaces, the tiny solar cells are expected to be less expensive, more efficient, and have promising new applications in textiles, clothing, and building facade installations."
glitter - the new nano measurement standard (Score:5, Funny)
OK, we have a new standard of measurement... "glitter"
I can handle that. After all I understood volkswagon-sized meteors, a station wagon full of backup tapes, a library of congress -sized disk farm, and of course the old favorite, a football field sized nuclear storage facility.
Does this tip the balance? (Score:5, Funny)
Does this invention change this? Will glitter vampires now be able to overpower both eye-liner pirates and trench-coat ninjas?
Or does the "solar" aspect of these tiny solar cells make them useless, even deadly, to glitter vampires?
Also, can someone please explain where heroin-chic werewolves fit into the hierarchy? I'm having trouble placing them.
These are the questions that wake me in the middle of the night, sweating and with racing heart.
Re:Everything old is new again? (Score:5, Funny)
While you're in there, can you say "hi" to Tom Cruise for us?
Re:Efficiency of current cells less than 1%???? (Score:2, Funny)
Silly You! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:and I bet (Score:3, Funny)
Re:and I bet (Score:4, Funny)
My first thought when I saw the title was "Great, now women can get men to stare at their chest AND charge the iPhone!"
Re:Wiring them up (Score:3, Funny)
Re:glitter - the new nano measurement standard (Score:4, Funny)
I'm sorry, I'll get a cup of coffee and take my meds now....
Re:There's more than efficiency to consider. (Score:1, Funny)
I believe lifetime comes from the fact that the current is generated by electrons knocked free from the material in the solar cell. Over time the number electrons available to knock free and turn into current is reduced.
The lifetime doesn't refer to the material's lifetime, it is more to do with the useful producing lifetime of the solar cell.
Re:glitter - the new nano measurement standard (Score:3, Funny)
Hmm... I always thought that a "metric buttload" was bigger, because people I've known tend to use it as a superlative over an unadorned buttload.