From The Workbench - Alternative + Renewable Energy Blog Valuable information for do-it-yourselfers interested in the latest in alternative + renewable energy

Every generation has one, the genius, the visionary, the mind that is in a whole different world than his or her peers.  Einstein, Beethoven, Edison and now, William Yuan?  Time might prove us exactly right when this 12-year-old boy from Beaverton, Oregon and his invention of a newer, more productive type of solar cell is put into production and allowed to shine like it really could.

When William Yuan started thinking about solar cells, he saw the potential, but did not see the current version of solar cell technology living up to it.  Yuan was quoted as saying, “Solar it seems underused, and there are only a few problems with it…Regular solar cells are only 2D and only allow light interaction once.” It was this thought that led him to the creation of a 3D Solar Cell that could absorb not only visible light, but UV light as well.

When he first tested his new design, he began wondering if the results were flawed.  He could not believe how much light was being absorbed, and how much electricity that was being converted into.  It did not seem to make sense that his design was so much more efficient and powerful.  According to the article I just read, “If he is right, solar panels with his 3D cells would provide 500 times more light absorption than commercially-available solar cells and nine times more than cutting-edge 3D solar cells.”  500 times more.  Wow.  If he IS right, which more and more scientists are thinking he is, inventions like this could help completely revolutionize the way the world uses electricity, and more important, makes their own.

For his efforts, Yuan has already received a $25,000 scholarship which will enable him to continue to work on this and making it not only marketable, but cost effective.  The true hurdle of any new technology.