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The thin film solar field is still a hot bed of activity - Technology Review has a post on a prototype cell that uses photonic crystals - Efficient Thin-Film Solar Cells. Researchers at MIT have unveiled a new type of silicon solar cell that could be much more efficient and cost less than currently used solar cells. Materials science and engineering professor Lionel Kimerling and his colleagues presented results of the first device prototype at a recent meeting of the Materials Research Society in Boston. The design combines a highly effective reflector on the back of a solar cell with an antireflective coating on the front. This helps trap red and near-infrared light, which can be used to make electricity, in the silicon. The research team is licensing similar technology to StarSolar, a startup in Cambridge, MA.

From the outside, there is nothing unusual about the stylish new gray and orange row houses in the Kranichstein District, with wreaths on the doors and Christmas lights twinkling through a freezing drizzle. But these houses are part of a revolution in building design: There are no drafts, no cold tile floors, no snuggling under blankets until the furnace kicks in. There is, in fact, no furnace. Published to:

Next Tuesday in Las Vegas renewable energy industry leaders, experts, companies and other interested participants will meet in Las Vegas to discuss how the industry is faring amidst the current economic conditions during Renewable Energy World North America, the renewable energy's leading expo and conference in North America. "While some companies may have delayed their growth plans in reaction to the current economic situation, I am hearing that they do plan to hire as soon as the U.S. stimulus package begins to take affect." -- Katharine Hart, Online Job Sales Manager, RenewableEnergyWorld.com The show kicks off with a keynote round-table session that will set the stage for the 3-day event. During the session, leaders of the major renewable industry trade associations plus a senior executive from host utility NV Energy will take part in a round-table discussion on the economy, the economic stimulus bill and renewable energy initiatives likely to come from the Obama Administration and Congress. These individuals have their fingers on the pulse of their respective industries and should be able to shed light on the most current insights into what the next four years may hold for the industry.

Let's take a trip down the Palouse to check in with the most progressive university in our region (come on local schools, that ought to light a fire). It seems like we're always talking about new and exciting environmental stories coming from our neighbors to the south, and today is no disappointment ...

SOLAR cells are expensive, so it makes sense to use them efficiently. One way to do so is to concentrate sunlight onto them. That means a smaller area of cell can be used to convert a given amount of light into electricity. This, though, imposes another cost-that of the mirrors needed to do the concentrating. Traditionally these are large pieces of polished metal, steered by electric motors to keep the sun's rays focused on the cell. But now Cool Earth Solar of Livermore, California, has come up with what it hopes will be a better, cheaper alternative: balloons. Anyone who has children will be familiar with aluminised party balloons. Such balloons are made from metal-coated plastic. Cool Earth's insight was that if you coat only one half of a balloon, leaving the other transparent, the inner surface of the coated half will act as a concave mirror. Put a solar cell at the focus of that mirror and you have an inexpensive solar-energy collector.

Technology Review has an article on a startup that says its "solid polymer electrolytes will mean cheaper, more-reliable batteries" - Better Lithium-ion Batteries. A new incarnation of lithium-ion batteries based on solid polymers is in the works. Berkeley, CA-based startup Seeo, Inc. says its lithium-ion cells will be safer, longer-lasting, lighter, and cheaper than current batteries. Seeo's batteries use thin films of polymer as the electrolyte and high-energy-density, light-weight electrodes. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is now making and testing cells designed by the University of California, Berkeley spinoff. Lithium-ion batteries are used in cell phones and laptops because they are smaller and lighter than other types of batteries. They are also promising for electric and hybrid vehicles. However, conventional materials and chemistries have stopped them from being used extensively in cars.

As part of an energy efficiency measure, many homeowners are contacting roofing or skylight installers as a way to utilize natural lighting where a skylight would be beneficial.

Compact Fluorescent lamps are becoming very popular for household use and is fast replacing the typical screw based incandescent lamps. The main reason of their popularity is that they use one third of the energy of incandescent lamps and deliver the same amount of light.

The building's design should be one that takes into account as many green aspects as possible. From using natural lighting to reduce the amount of electricity, to good air ventilation to reduce the need for energy for cooling, the building should be built to save money and resources.

Our current utility system is woefully outdated and painfully unprepared for major outages. Even minor glitches in the current operating system can mean major headaches for the customers who rely on these companies for heat and lights and for the companies themselves.

This dual flush toilet is very useful for domestic and light commercial use. As it uses a dual flush system, it is capable of saving 80% of the water that is used in a normal toilet system.

If you want to clean your lawn and keep it green, you can very well use an earth wise cordless leaf blower. This leaf blower is ideal for any light jobs around in the yard.

Energy Results specializes in sustainable, energy efficient& green conservation products to make your home more energy efficient. We have large selection of green home products like energy efficient light bulbs, EnergyStar appliances, heating & cooling products, smart energy devices and much more.

The European Commission has given the UK Government the go ahead to offer EDF a guaranteed price per unit of electricity generated for a 35-year period for the purpose of incentivising investment. Ever since it was first proposed in October 2013, the proposed deal between the UK government and French nuclear power company EDF for the financing of a new nuclear plant has courted controversy.

Cutera was founded in 1998 and has quickly become a leader in the laser and light-based aesthetic market. Their lasers are used widely by primary care physicians, dermatologists, plastic surgeons and gynecologists for safe, effective and non-invasive aesthetic treatments for their patients.

I wanted to talk to you about the differences in the white LED s. And they also come in different sizes. The numbers that you see before the size is pretty much how big the LED is in millimeters. But keep in mind other sizes that may have come in different applications.