Cochrane Summers

But why does it take so long for some power technologies to get from the lab and industrial applications to the s...

THE SEPTEMBER 2006 Concern OF SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN was dedicated to exploring the future of power beyond the carbon era. The editors share a sobering outlook: 'Decades could pass prior to hydrogen-powered trucks and automobiles relegate gasoline-and diesel-fueled vehicles to antique auto shows.' Until that occurs, nicely 'muddle-through' somehow. (Scientific American: three)

But why does it take so lengthy for some power technologies to get from the lab and industrial applications to the service of shoppers? Take solar panels, for example.

A higher-street electronics chain in London now sells educational solar-power kits for about the 20 mark. Serious, roof-dwelling solar panels that will power gear in your property sell in DIY superstores at about 2,500. Thats a price tag-tag for the wealthy or very committed, but at least customers can push their trolleys previous the technologies

SOLAR PANELS HAVE ONLY Lately APPEARED on the shelves of retail outlets, so you'd forgive them for posing as new technologies. But they're not. Even though England was priming itself for what was to become its most renowned Planet Cup, a contributor to the July 1966 edition of Wireless Globe faced a copy deadline for the magazine. His name was D. Bollen, and he offered a circuit for a solar-powered battery charger.

As he put it: 'The ability of solar cells to convert sunlight directly into useful electrical energy has been effectively demonstrated in satellite applications. An benefit of the solar battery is that is makes it possible for accurate, unattended operation in places remote from a power supply andpromises an outstanding degree of reliability. (Wireless Globe: 343)

More than 4 meticulously-illustrated pages, Bollen goes on to provide a blueprint for a circuit that will trickle-charge a battery from a solar cell. Click here website to discover the reason for it. Bollen shows that you can run anything that utilizes 1 milliamp of present for '2.74 hours' in a 24 hour period. He leaves us guessing what application he had in thoughts for this tiny current, but the rig could also have powered the bulb of a toy torch for a few seconds a day.

Nevertheless, the circuit is there and the date is mid-1966. Don