(PRWEB) February 23, 2009
London, UK In an age of global concern for escalating fossil fuel prices, energy security and CO2 emissions, a fervent demand for sustainable energy sources endures. In apt response to this critical issue, a renewable alternative energy innovation is receiving wide spread interest and attention.
Renewable energy company,SolarBotanic, unveils a revolutionary solution ā Energy Harvesting Trees.
Biomimicry (natureās own superior engineering) and Nano technology are integral to SolarBotanicās schema. Exclusively designed Nanoleaves are incorporated with a combination of Biomimicry and advanced Nano technologies. The result is a green, clean, highly efficient means for generating electricity.
SolarBotanicās unique energy harvesting process utilizes three major types of technologies; Photovoltaics, Thermovoltaics and Piezovoltaic.
Photovoltaics (PV) are the direct conversion of light into electricity using semiconductor materials; Thermovoltaics (TV) are the direct conversion of heat into Electricity using semiconductor materials; Piezovoltaic (PZ) is the direct conversion of kinetic energy into electricity using a semiconductor device commonly known as ānano cells.ā
The SolarBotanic PV/TV/PZ subprogram research and development are divided into two main areas: nanoleaf and artificial tree or plant structures.
Nanoleaf technology is an inventive method of green energy collection, combining the conversion of light, heat and wind power. Integrated nano technologies enable the nanoleaves to convert solar radiation (light & heat) into electricity.
Furthermore, the leaf petiole or the stem, and twigs comprise nano-piezovoltaic material ā these tiny generators produce electricity from movement or kinetic energy caused by wind or falling raindrops. A fundamental flaw in conventional solar cells is that electrons give too much energy by sunlight and lose that energy in heat form, as the electrons move thermally to the bottom of the conduction band. SolarBotanic āhotcarrierā solar cells would use quantum dots (i.e., nano-particles) to confine electrons long enough so that they could be extracted before their energy dissipates as heat. With this process of combining the conversion of light, heat and wind, more energy is generated, as the āhot carrierā can now be efficiently used with the implementation of thermovoltaic cells.
Biomimicry is an emerging science resolving human problems by adopting natureās ingenious processes. Using biomimicry techniques,a SolarBotanic artificial tree, or plant structure, functions as a passive solar-wind harvester. Ultimately, energy is harvested then efficiently captured, concentrated, stored and/or converted to a high value energy form.
SolarBotanicās essential technical element is the Nanoleaf; designed to capture the sunās radiant energy in photovoltaic and thermovoltaic cells, and convert the radiation into electricity. As the wind blows the layers of voltaic material in the stems, twigs and branches are moved, compressed and stretched, creating electricity. Consequently, as the sun shines, the winds blow and the rain falls, millions of micro circuits activate, each making its contribution to the electrical energy of the tree. An average tree with a canopy of approximately 6 square meters can generate enough energy to provide for the needs of the average household.
Designed to appear as genuine and attractive as their organic counterparts, with the capacity to harness the eternal prolific power of the Sun and Wind, the applications of SolarBotanic trees are impressively extensive and adaptable.
SolarBotanic trees have the capacity to supply a single household or can be installed in areas where natural growing groups of trees would previously have been used,(i.e., along motor ways, in suburban streets, parks,etc.), and can make a significant contribution to the national electrical grid.
In areas where wind turbines are not welcome the SolarBotanic trees can be used in groves, capturing both wind and sun. SolarBotanic woods of oak, ash, beech or sycamore have the advantage over organic deciduous trees where instead of losing their leaves in winter, they maintain āfoliageā and continue to generate energy. In deserts, where hydroponics allow the cultivation of fruit and vegetables, SolarBotanic trees and plants both shade the growing tunnels, and provide electricity to circulate water and cool the interior.
Conversely in cold regions SolarBotanic trees can provide cheap heating and lighting for crops which would not otherwise be viable.
SolarBotanic energy systems possess the ingenuity and versatility to provide clean electric energy systems for grid-connected power, grid-independent power, water and space heating, industrial process heating, and power plants. SolarBotanic renewable energy holds immense potential as a supplement or alternative to fossil fuels for serving energy markets world wide and for developing nations.
The company retains patents and has patents pending covering Biomimicry,Nanoleaf Technology, Energy transfer materials and process, and has confirmed proof of concept criteria as required by investor groups.
SolarBotanic is interested in talking to potential JV partners who have the required sector expertise and funding to take this project from the R&D phase to full commercialization.
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