'Major discovery' from MIT primed to unleash solar revolution

DoreSlamR · 02-08-2008, 01:12 AM

Quote:

In a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power from a marginal, boutique alternative into a mainstream energy source, MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy for use when the sun doesn't shine.

Link: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/oxygen-0731.html

About time I say, solar power has so much more to offer than what it currently does...

The future isn't as bad as they all say!

Airmon · 02-08-2008, 01:44 AM

I thought it was about them storing solar power, but that's a bit misleading. They're using the solar power to produce a fuel, there are designs that use the same principle but work on a smaller scale and with Battery's rather then Solar energy.

Its good news, but I can't see it going Large scale anytime soon.

uranium_death · 02-08-2008, 12:29 PM

Every long journey starts with but a single step...

flappist · 02-08-2008, 05:00 PM

A long time ago solar energy was used to convert carbon dioxide (green house gass)into chemicals that could later be converted back to energy. To date it is still the most efficient methodology.

The stuff is called oil......

Duke · 02-08-2008, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

A long time ago solar energy was used to convert carbon dioxide (green house gass)into chemicals that could later be converted back to energy. To date it is still the most efficient methodology.

The stuff is called oil......

Bugger me! imagine if you could sell it for like $125 or something - you'd be rich!

:

azaxr8 · 02-08-2008, 06:00 PM

and then ill be the government and put tax on everything. new tax. %50 of your weekly pay for breathing the air.

DoreSlamR · 02-08-2008, 07:15 PM

So it's not all it's cracked up to be??

And here I was thinking it could be useful...

StAndArdAU · 02-08-2008, 11:59 PM

i'm no scientist, but if MIT say its a major breakthrough, then i'm happier to believe them rather than someone on a Ford Forum saying it isn't.

And if it means no more dealing with Western Power 10 years in the future then i'm all for it!

flappist · 03-08-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StAndArdAU

i'm no scientist, but if MIT say its a major breakthrough, then i'm happier to believe them rather than someone on a Ford Forum saying it isn't.

And if it means no more dealing with Western Power 10 years in the future then i'm all for it!

Academic institutions that make "breakthroughs" get extra funding, those that do not remain poor.

Why do you think there is global climate change?

Not because Y2K has passed and before that the 90's air quality scare and before that the 80's fuel crisis that proved we would run out of oil by the year 2000.

I remember when was good for you, it said so on TV all the time.

StAndArdAU · 04-08-2008, 12:31 AM

in the 1950's alot of people dismissed the idea of walking on the moon. it happened a decade later. why is it so hard to believe this cant be implemented within the next 10 years like they say?

ILLaViTaR · 04-08-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StAndArdAU

in the 1950's alot of people dismissed the idea of walking on the moon. it happened a decade later. why is it so hard to believe this cant be implemented within the next 10 years like they say?

Because the Government control everything.
They have/had financial interests in oil and landing on the moon.

King Nothing · 04-08-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

A long time ago solar energy was used to convert carbon dioxide (green house gass)into chemicals that could later be converted back to energy. To date it is still the most efficient methodology.

The stuff is called oil......

Just a shame it takes too long.

flappist · 04-08-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Nothing

Just a shame it takes too long.

It used to take a really long time to make diamonds once, now we can make thin in minutes.

It used to take a really long time to travel around the world, now we can do it in a day.

Hydrocarbons are still the best way of storing energy. Until we work out how to make synthetic petrol buy some permutation of artificial photosynthesis we are just running in circles.

The problem is that there is too much money in NOT solving the problem.....

King Nothing · 04-08-2008, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

The problem is that there is too much money in NOT solving the problem.....

Exactly. And once traditional oil runs out, there is still shale oil, tar sands oil, and coal to liquids. Waaaay too much money sitting there to ignore. Unless there is a way oil companies/governments can screw us even more using said synthetic hydrocarbon creation.