A guiding light for new directions in energy production

The science of light and liquids has been intimately entwined since Léon Foucault discovered the speed of light in 1862, when he observed that light travels more slowly in water than in air. This physical harmony between the two materials is now being harnessed to collect and drive light to where it can be the most useful. October's issue of Nature Photonics focuses on optofluidics, the study of microfluidics—the microscopic delivery of fluids through extremely small channels or tubes—combined with optics. In a review written by Demetri Psaltis, Dean of EPFL's School of Engineering, he and his co-authors argue that optofluidics is poised to take on one of this century's most important challenges: energy.

"By directing the light and concentrating where it can be most efficiently used, we could greatly increase the efficiency of already existing energy producing systems, such as biofuel reactors and solar cells, as well as innovate entirely new forms of energy production" explains Psaltis. "EPFL is the world leader in optofluidics, our institution is in a position to develop truly efficient and disruptive energy sources."

Sunlight is already used for energy production besides conventional solar panels. For example, it is used to convert water and carbon dioxide into methane in large industrial biofuel plants. Prisms and mirrors are commonly employed to direct and concentrate sunlight to heat water on the roofs of homes and apartment buildings. These techniques already employ the same principles found in optofluidics—control and manipulation of light and liquid transfer—but often without the precision offered by nano and micro technology.

A futuristic example: Optofluidic solar lighting system

How can we better exploit the light that hits the outside of a building?

Conventional Sources Of Energy - News


A guiding light for new directions in energy production

"EPFL is the world leader in optofluidics, our institution is in a position to develop truly efficient and disruptive energy sources." Sunlight is already used for energy production besides conventional solar panels. For example, it is used to convert



Natural Gas: Will It Displace Oil as the US' Primary Energy Source?
Natural Gas: Will It Displace Oil as the US' Primary Energy Source?

However, each, barring a research breakthrough, is unlikely to transform vehicle, industrial or home/business energy use. Even so, while the nation waits for that next big thing in batteries or fuel cells, a conventional energy source may achieve the



Opponents Say Biomass Plant Threatens Town's Water Supply

amendment would not allow chicken litter to fuel power plants but would allow commissioners to conditionally permit private power plants to operate and sell electricity in an Industrial District, if fueled by cleaner or more conventional sources.



Block Island Wind Energy Plan Moving Forward

Other speakers including former governor Donald Carcieri discussed the cost of energy from alternative energy sources such as the wind farm and the long-term prospects of building a thriving wind energy industry in New England.



Uruguay Plans Wind Farms Worth $1.3 Billion to Cut Power Costs

Aeolic energy is beating conventional power sources on price in head-to-head contests elsewhere in South America. Wind was the cheapest source of energy in a similar auction in Brazil last month. “The bids are amazing,” Mendez said.




Reiki Healing , Archive » Global Waste-To-Energy Market By ...

Global Waste-To-Energy Market By Geography, Technology, Applications Market Trends And Forecasts

Waste to Energy Market

The global energy market is witnessing a shift toward waste to energy technologies due to growing energy demands worldwide, the rapid depletion of conventional sources of energy, and concerns over environmental pollution from conventional energy sources. Governments across the globe are offering initiatives and financial schemes to encourage production of energy from industrial and agricultural wastes. The report studies the waste to energy market only for municipal solid waste (MSW), and excludes hazardous metal and other wastes. The research also does not cover the waste water treatment market.

 

Early buyers will receive 10% customization of reports http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/waste-to-energy-advanced-technologies-and-global-market-research-34.html

 

While only a few international companies are currently active in the WTE market, it is expected to witness a double-digit growth rate in the next five years largely due to the participation of developing countries. Ongoing research is also expected to resolve current concerns of conversion and efficiency; making waste a mainstream source of energy.

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Renewable Energy Market MARKETS COVERED

This market research report analyzes and forecasts the markets for all the major types of waste-to-energy technologies. It also analyzes challenges such as negative general opinion, high initial cost, long production and sales cycle, rules and regulations, political indifference and compulsion of local joint ventures.


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Electrical Times danfoss pulled up on claims about the cost benefits of heat pumps compared with all other conventional energy sources -


Gnaeus Pompeius @ solar panels aren't for tracing activity! They use sun as a source of energy instead of using conventional power sources...


Solarpowergetics Generating power from alternative energy sources to support conventional energy systems is the proper course of action in the short term.


SPG Solar Systems Generating power from alternative energy sources to support conventional energy systems is the proper course of action in the short term.


Solarputz Generating power from alternative energy sources to support conventional energy systems is the proper course of action in the short term.


Conventional Sources Of Energy - Bookshelf

Of mice and men

Of mice and men

The tragic story of the friendship between two migrant workers, George and mentally retarded Lenny, and their dream of owning a farm

Three Cups of Tea

Three Cups of Tea


Elements of Style

Elements of Style

The Elements of Style is a classic work which is intended for use in English courses in which the practice of composition is combined with the study of ...

The Grapes of Wrath

The Grapes of Wrath

Depicts the hardships and suffering endured by the Joads as they journey from Oklahoma to California during the Depression.

A Confederacy of Dunces

A Confederacy of Dunces

The novel astonishes with its inventiveness; it lives in the play of its voices. A Confederacy of Dunces is nothing less than a grand comic fugue.

Day-to-day Walkthroughs Directory


MEA-Maryland Energy Adminstration
Under the leadership of Governor Martin O'Malley, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) provides funding ... 20 percent of energy from clean, renewable sources by 2022 is ...

Energy.gov | Department of Energy
The Energy Department is closely monitoring Hurricane Irene as it travels up the East Coast of the United ... The conventional light bulb has got some serious competition. ...

Energy development - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Schematic of the global sources of energy in 2006-2007. Energy production from 1989 to ... Level of use of external energy sources differs across societies, as do the climate, ...

Natural Gas: Will It Displace Oil as the U.S.' Primary Energy ...
But their mass use could be 20 years away. Meanwhile, a conventional source may ... The energy-thirsty United States is on the hunt for a game-changing energy source or ...

Non-Conventional and Conventional Sources of Energy
The contemporary non-conventional sources of energy like wind, tidal, solar etc. were the ... conventional sources are available free of cost, are pollution-free ...