The power of the sun can be seen in all aspects of life. The sun provides warmth and energy that can be used in homes and businesses. We are always excited when new methods to harness the power of the sun’s rays are discovered. A few scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have discovered a solid material able to store heat from the sun and assume a charged state.
In the case of solar panels, solar power is used to create electricity usable in your home. When photons, or light particles, enter the solar panel cells, electrons are knocked free from the silicon, generating an electric current. Solar panels contain photovoltaic cells, which converts the sunlight into electricity. The amount of current produced is directly dependent on the amount of light that strikes the solar panels.
This new solid material, called azobenzene, utilizes sunlight and stores up a charge that can be released in the form of heat. As sunlight hits the solid material, it creates a charged state. The charge is maintained for a period of time and can be released with a small burst of heat. When the burst of heat is applied, the material returns to its original chemical composition and releases a large amount of heat energy.
Azobenzenes can be formed into thin, transparent films. Currently, this material functions mainly to heat up areas. Because of its thin and transparent nature, it could be used to defrost your windshields in the future. As this material develops further, people may use it to heat up a home effectively or even sew it into clothes to provide warmth in harsh environments.
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