Global Warming

I found it amazing that global warming was predicted over a hundred years ago and nobody listened.  Today, global warming is potentially one of the greatest problems facing our society.  Link to article: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-02/climate-scientist-digs-data-mining-news

Next Great Aggie Innovator

Working on my innovation for The Next Great Aggie Innovator. I decided to focus on the concept of Green Roofs. Nearly finished, everything's just about finalized. I just need to work out a few kinks.

Sick

Missed class today because I was sick.  Professor Vanegas called my group.  Spending the part of today that I can studying for Human Geography and working on my next individual assignment for ENDS.

Solar Generator/Water Purifier Patent

Upon doing a search for a solar-powered generator that also offered purified water as a byproduct, I found this patent: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/4253307.html.  I was initially concerned that this would affect our group project, then realized that our project is based on the social innovation of applying this invention to third world countries, rather than the invention itself.

Solar Generator/Water Purifier

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted, I've been working on two group projects for ENDS.  The second one is highly related to this blog.  We were asked to come up with a social innovation or invention to help the world.  I came up with the idea of a solar generator that both converted sunlight to energy and purified water.  This would work if instead of photovoltaic panels, a large field of mirrors was used.  The mirrors would all be focused on a central point, in which water would be heated to the boiling point and the steam would be used to turn a turbine, generating electricity.  The steam could then be condensed back into (now completely pure) water.  The machine's only regular inputs would be sunlight and water, and its outputs would be electricity and purified water.

Nanosolar Exemplifies An Alternative Approach

The most common objection to solar energy is how costly it is.  The construction of silicon panels of the proper design is quite the endeavor.  Nanosolar took a different route.  Its solar panels are composed of conductive substances such as copper alloys that are used as electrodes, a thin layer of which is printed (both time and cost-efficiently) over a metal foil.  This is a great contrast to other solar panels, which are typically composed of thick layers of silicon over glass or stainless steel.  Silicon is a poor conductor, and Nanosolar's method is much more efficient.

Kudos, Italy

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-02/wind-turbines-embedded-italian-viaduct-would-preserve-architecture-and-generate-power
Well, Italian designers Francesco Colarossi, Giovanna Saracino and Luisa Saracino have finally done it.  They've managed to solve two of the major issues that arise when the subject of wind energy comes up: aesthetics and space.  Many people complain that large wind turbines are "ugly", a blight on a natural landscape.  I doubt any would protest this novel approach that results in a beautiful, futuristic-looking energy source.  The turbines also take up no more space than the viaduct itself would, shutting down any objections that would come about in regards to the land usage.  The Italian team's creativity is exactly the sort of problem-solving the world needs when it comes to the energy crisis.  It's your move, America.