| ChichiriMuyo said: Look, I'm going to be honest in saying I'm a tad bit drunk here. That's why I edited out the unnecessary (and admittedly distasteful) comment in my post. the fact still remaind that said technology is not yet affordable. When it become affordable, you can expect it to become common in many pieces of portable hardware. Until that time, however, it's foolish to suggest Sony will or should use that technology. That aside, I am not incorrect in terms of photovoltaics being capable of capturing what is essentially unlimited power. While solar technology is still being developed, it has been possible wince the 1970's to power all of the Earth off of non-terrestrial power sources given that the money was there to do so. We could, 30 years ago, have sent a device to the moon to melt the upper layers of its surface (highly populated by silicates) into a solar-energy absrobing glass along the lines of pre-photovoltaic cells (but less effective) that could collect energy and transmit that to transmitting stations which could convert it to microwave and beam it to regions of the Earth that needed it. In fact, in the 1970's we proved that we could collect extraterrestrial power. The things that stand in its way are costs that no nation, let alone corporation, is able to bear single-handedly and environmental concerns from people that still thing microwaves are dangerous to us in the face of the fact that we are bombarded by them through cell phone transmissions whether we own such a device or not. Really, though, the reason that technology (along with the batteries you've spoken of) aren't being used is down to the one fact that makes business run: cost. When these things are cost effective, they will happen. Until then, they are good ideas that need millions or billions of dollars more in research. |
Yes we are capable of collecting the power but not taking full advantage of it. Why use a solar panel that only absorbs 10% of the solar rays when you can at least absorb 50% - 60%? Or even 80%. Thats what I'm saying, current solar technology is pathetic compared to what is shaping up quite nicely in the development stages and could be available in the next 5 years. Plus by then current solar panels will cost way cheaper making it so the basic household can afford a solar panel bigger then 9 by 5 for under $4k.
Also like I said, Universities test and research the heck out of their discoveries. Most research past what the University's studies is basically how a company would mass-produce it basically if the University hasnt already come up with a way.
