CONSUMER NEWS    RECALLS    COMPLAINT FORM    SCAM ALERTS  
Small Claims Guide   Class Actions   Lemon Laws   FAQ   Newsletters  


Complain about a product or service

Automotive    Education    Electronics    Family    Finance    Health    Homeowners    Shopping    Travel   
NEWS   Latest |  Archives |  Auto |  Cells, etc. |  Computers |  Financial |  Health |  Homeowners |  Parents |  Privacy |  Scams |  Seniors |  Travel

MIT Researcher Reports Solar Power Breakthrough

Discovery could mean a cheap new energy source



By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

August 3, 2008
Solar power, which some hold out as a promising form of alternative energy, may have just become a lot more practical.

A researcher at MIT has developed a catalyst that he says can generate oxygen from a glass of water by splitting water molecules. His colleagues say that one simple step could lead to an efficient — and cheap — method of storing energy from the sun.

No one disputes that solar cells can generate significant amounts of energy. The problem is, they can't do it for very long each day. The sun provides abundant energy for just a few hours each day, and none at night, requiring supplemental energy sources or a big bank of batteries.

Dr. Daniel Nocera and his research team have in effect created an artificial form of photosynthesis, which is the way plants use sunlight to turn water into usable energy. Using a cheap and easy to make catalyst, they produce a reaction that in turn produces a hydrogen gas. The hydrogen becomes a fuel, which can be burned or used to power a fuel cell to generate electricity on demand.

How big is this breakthrough?

Karsten Meyer, a professor of chemistry at Friedrich Alexander University, in Germany, calls it "probably the most important single discovery of the century." True, the century is only eight years old, but still, that's saying something.

Scientists say the most significant aspect of the breakthrough is the use of an inexpensive and easy to make catalyst. That, they say, would allow the energy produced from the process to be done at a lower cost that previously believed possible.

Obviously, consumers won't see the benefits of this breakthrough in the short run. Its one thing to make it work in a laboratory, it's quite another to produce it on a scale that it can make a significant contribution to the power grid.

But because of its simplicity and the low cost of the materials involved, other researchers are expected to begin their own experiments, perhaps leading to a commercially viable hydrogen fuel system, powered by the sun.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.


Consumer News

December 4 2008

Recent Recalls & Safety Alerts

PRINT, MAIL, ETC.


FREE CONSUMER NEWSLETTERS

The Daily Consumer
Afternoons M-F

Sign up now!


Consumer News & Alerts
Every Sunday

Sign up now!

MOST-VIEWED PAGES

  • Sharper Image
  • Sears Auto Centers
  • GE Money Bank
  • Maytag Washers
  • Speed Up Your Metabolism
  • Capital One
  • 7 Falling Price Tags
  • Wal-Mart Vision Centers
  • Whirlpool Water Heaters
  • Kirby Vacuum Cleaners
  • NEW COMPLAINTS

  • Ann Taylor
  • Taxslayer.com
  • EyeSave.com
  • Broadway Photo
  • Greatknivesgreatprices
  • Hydroderm
  • Magicjack.com
  • Justmyshopping.com
  • Papa John's
  • Privacy Matters
  • Hey there! ConsumerAffairs.com is using Twitter.
    Twitter is a free service that lets you keep in touch throughout the day. Join today to start receiving ConsumerAffairs.com's updates.

    JOIN OUR SITE

    Joining lets you post comments and, soon, chat with your friends without leaving our site.





    Back to the top |

    Advertisement



    AUTOMOTIVE
    • Dealers
    • Manufacturers
    • Service
    • Extended Warranties
    • Lemon Laws
    • Recalls
    • Tires
    • Transporters

    FAMILY
    • Aging
    • Children, Parenting
    • Recalls
    • Dating
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Pets
    • Weddings
    FINANCE
    • Annuities
    • Banks
    • Credit Cards
    • Debt Collection
    • Debt Counseling
    • Insurance
    • Investing
    • Loans
    • Mortgages
    • Payday Loans
    • Student Loans
    • Tax Prep

    HEALTH
    • Drugs, Pharmacies
    • Health Clubs
    • Hearing Care
    • Hospitals
    • Nursing Homes
    • Nutrition, Diets
    • Vision Care
    • Weight Loss
    HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS
    • Appliances
    • Cookware
    • Furniture
    • Home Improvements
    • Lawn & Garden
    • Movers
    • Pools & Spas
    • Realtors, Rental Agents
    • Recalls
    • Utilities

    ELECTRONICS
    • Cable TV/DBS
    • Cameras
    • Cell Phones
    • Computers
    • Home Electronics
    • Internet Access
    • Local Phone Service
    • Long Distance
    • VoIP
    SHOPPING
    • In-Home
    • Online
    • Retail Stores
    • Sporting Goods
    • Supermarkets
    • Telemarketers

    TRAVEL
    • Airlines
    • Bus Lines
    • Car Rental
    • Cruises
    • Hotels
    • Travel Agents
    • Trains

    RESOURCES
    • Class Actions
    • Complaint Form
    • Small Claims Guide
    • Lemon Laws
    CONSUMER NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Automotive
    • Telecom
    • Financial
    • Health
    • Homeowners
    • Scams
    • Seniors
    • Travel
    • More ...

    RECALLS
    • Automotive
    • Children's Products
    • Drugs
    • Food
    • Household Products
    • Sporting Goods

    ABOUT US
    • FAQ
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertise With Us
    • Newsroom
    • Syndication
    • Terms of Use

    Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

    Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

    Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

    For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

    Copyright © 2003-2008 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.    The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.