Solar Windows are growing in demand recently. With the world facing a lot of problems, the need for renewable energy has skyrocketed. Earth has been plagued by a lot of problems over the years. One of the biggest threats has come from nonrenewable sources of energy.
They have been a constant threat to nature as most of the materials are toxic. Nonrenewable energy predominantly includes coal and fossil fuels. The burning of these fuels releases harmful substances into the atmosphere. These gases mix with the air and form an impenetrable blanket over the atmosphere.
The blanket formed by the toxic gases traps heat resulting in the surface temperature increasing. This phenomenon is known as the greenhouse effect. An increase in temperature can be catastrophic in many ways. It leads to the melting of the polar ice caps. The water levels of the sea will be severely affected by the melting ice caps.
Another danger is associated with the melting ice in the poles. Unknown viruses and diseases might be trapped inside the ice. Those diseases might get unleashed causing a pandemic. Due to all these reasons, the need for a sustainable energy source is required.
Read: Blue Carbon: The Oceans Play A Greater Role In Removing Greenhouse Gases
Research is being conducted worldwide for a stable source of renewable energy. The Netherlands has been in the news for its expertise in wind energy. The country has set up huge windmills for harnessing electricity. They are now running their entire railway system with wind energy.
A recent breakthrough might be the answer to the question. A student in the Philippines has developed unique solar windows. The windows can process wasted food into energy. This project is highly praised by experts as it addresses two problems at once. Let us learn more about the Solar Windows in detail below.
Solar Windows Earn Philippines Student Awards
A student named Carvey Maigue has been in the news recently. He has initiated a project namely, AuREUS. This project has earned him the prestigious James Dyson award. The award is presented to the most innovative budding engineers of the future.
Carvey’s project was chosen over 1800 entries from twenty-seven countries. He was presented with the Sustainability Award for his works. The project is powered by a unique concept of producing energy from food wastes. Carvey has devised solar windows that can synthesize technology from food wastes to trap the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
The panel then processes the rays into renewable sources of energy. The main aim of AuREUS is to make solar energy open to all. Solar energy is usually a complex piece of technology that is not accessible to most of the people. Carvey’s solar windows look to solve the problem.
Read: Powerhouse: Making Solar Energy More Accessible Through A Breakthrough Support Program
He has stated that his idea would reduce the negative effects on the climate. The new technology will also cater greatly to the areas affected by natural disasters. Thousands of crops are being wasted every year because of floods, storms, etc.
These crops can be used to power the solar windows, in turn, aiding the farmers.
Solar Windows That Do Not Depend On Sunlight
The most fascinating aspect of Carvey’s solar windows is that it does not always require sunlight. AuREUS has the efficiency of generating electricity even without facing the sun. The whole project is based on the idea of exposure to ultraviolet rays in urban areas.
All of the solar windows are constructed horizontally. No vertical designs have been made till now. The AuREUS uses solar farms and glass as chief materials. The solar windows have luminescent particles that absorb particles that are high in energy.
A similar process has been replicated by Maigue by using food wastes. The particles are sent into a resin which emits the ultraviolet rays into the photovoltaic cells. These cells convert the rays into sustainable energy. It remains to be seen whether the solar windows can withstand the test of time.
