MIT Researchers Crack The Code On Cheaply Printing Solar Cells On Paper, Fabric

[OneGrassRoot]

Researchers have long toyed with the idea of printing solar cells onto paper. But MIT researchers have taken the idea one giant step further with a process that cheaply and easily prints out solar cells on regular plastic, cloth, or paper--without the need for high temperatures or potentially damaging liquids. It's still in the searcher stages at the moment--the cells barely produce enough to power a cell phone--but light, cheap, flexible solar panels could one day be revolutionary.

The process is, according to MIT, much like the one used make the "silver lining in your bag of potato chips." Layers of "inks" are printed onto a sheet of paper. The materials form patterns of solar cells on the paper's surface, which is also used as the solar cell's substrate (traditional solar cells use more expensive materials like glass as a substrate). Wires can be attached directly to the cells. Voila! Solar power.

http://www.fastcompany.com/1766347/mit-researchers-figure-out-how-to-cheaply-print-solar-cells-on-paper-fabric

[Newest Reality]

1. Can we tolerate threats like these?

We have been existing, so far, to protect powerful, vested interests who could potentially fight to the death to retain their economic place in the Status Quo of the deeply entrenched and reinforced confines of the Military-Industrial State.

Think of what would/could/will happen if any of the various "industries" were to be seriously threatened by a solution/cure/obsolescence regarding their particular product/service.

Consider how much is spent to suppress any threats to today's cash cows and add to that the power of media and lobbying in achieving those goals despite the short and long-term impact on people, the environment, economies, etc. Then, look at how much more multi-national corporations are being given/offered in order to utilize financial pressure and manipulation to preserve and expand manipulation and increase control.

Our crises, in that sense, is systemic. How quickly and efficiently new technologies can become mainstream is a vital issue based on the above observations.

[tridim]

2. Please, please, please don't let the printer manufacturers sell the cartridges.

I don't want to pay $250 for 20 cents worth of solar ink.

[ret5hd]

4. oh, you would only pay that much for the first one...

after that you would bring them to walgreens and get them refilled for $150 for 40 cents worth of ink...a much better deal.

[Hawkowl]

3. $100 billion a year in research

Think of how fast we could be energy dependent if Obama pulled his head out of the ass of the MIC and used some of that funding for energy independence? LIKE HE FUCKING PROMISED.

[jberryhill]

5. Ah, the weekly "solar breakthrough" press release

Thank you.

[Uncle Joe]

7. Hopefully we can get it down to daily,

all the quicker to wean ourselves away from life destroying, war motivating, finite fossil fuels.

[Uncle Joe]

6. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, OneGrassRoot.:thumbsup: