* Astronomy

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RE: Solar power

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Phillips 66, South China University of Technology, and Solarmer Energy Set a World Record in Solar Power Conversion Efficiency

Phillips 66 South China University of Technology (SCUT), and Solarmer Energy, Inc. have successfully set a new world record in power conversion efficiency for polymer-based organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. The 9.31 percent efficiency was certified by the Newport Technology & Application Centre's Photovoltaic Lab in Long Beach, Calif.
The new record was achieved as a result of collaboration between Solarmer's materials development team; the Alternative Energy group at Phillips 66 Technology led by its director, Dr. Ting He; and Prof. Hongbin Wu's research group at SCUT. The champion cell utilized a new polymer jointly developed by Solarmer and Phillips 66, combined with the interface technology developed at SCUT's Polymer Optoelectronic Materials and Devices.
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Solar power without solar cells: A hidden magnetic effect of light could make it possible

A dramatic and surprising magnetic effect of light discovered by University of Michigan researchers could lead to solar power without traditional semiconductor-based solar cells.
The researchers found a way to make an "optical battery," said Stephen Rand, a professor in the departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Physics and Applied Physics.
In the process, they overturned a century-old tenet of physics.
Light has electric and magnetic components. Until now, scientists thought the effects of the magnetic field were so weak that they could be ignored. What Rand and his colleagues found is that at the right intensity, when light is traveling through a material that does not conduct electricity, the light field can generate magnetic effects that are 100 million times stronger than previously expected. Under these circumstances, the magnetic effects develop strength equivalent to a strong electric effect.
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Using a common metal most famously found in self-cleaning ovens, Sossina Haile hopes to change our energy future. The metal is cerium oxide - or ceria - and it is the centrepiece of a promising new technology developed by Haile and her colleagues that concentrates solar energy and uses it to efficiently convert carbon dioxide and water into fuels.
Solar energy has long been touted as the solution to our energy woes, but while it is plentiful and free, it can't be bottled up and transported from sunny locations to the drearier - but more energy-hungry - parts of the world. The process developed by Haile - a professor of materials science and chemical engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - and her colleagues could make that possible.
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The developers of a solar lamp that aims to replace kerosene-burning lights in developing countries have won a prestigious environmental award.
D Light Design says its lanterns, which sell for around $10 (£7), contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions.
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Solar Spark Lighter - Solar-Powered Fire Starter

The Solar Spark Lighter brings the ability to create fire to anyone, without the need of lighter fuel. This lighter will never run out and can be used anytime there is a decent light source and a small amount of a combustible substance to hand.
The Solar Spark Lighter works by focusing the light that hits it at whatever has been placed between the prongs of the fork attached to the center of it. This focused light is hot enough to start burning whatever combustible material has been put in the prongs, things like wood, bark, paper, even things like incense, or marshmallows!
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Solar Decathlon Europe (SDE) competition

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RE: Solar power

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Sahara Sun 'to help power Europe'
A sustainable energy initiative that will start with a huge solar project in the Sahara desert has been announced by a consortium of 12 European businesses.
The Desertec Industrial Initiative aims to supply Europe with 15% of its energy needs by 2050.

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The Vatican is going solar in a big way. The smallest country in the world recently announced that it intends to spend 660 million dollars to create what will effectively be Europe's largest solar power plant. This massive 100 megawatt photovoltaic installation will provide enough energy to make the Vatican the first solar powered nation state in the world.

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