Bacteria-Powered Solar Cells Are Ideal for Cloudy Climates

Bacteria-Powered Solar Cells Are Ideal for Cloudy Climates Bacteria-Powered Solar Cells Are Ideal for Cloudy Climates Bacteria-Powered Solar Cells Are Ideal for Cloudy ClimatesSolar energy is a wonderful renewable energy, as long as a steady supply of photons is needed to make it all work. Sunny climates are best. In regions where cloudy skies are common, such as parts of Canada and Northern Europe, adopting solar power can be problematic and expensive, especially for large-scale applications.Now researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC), led by chemical and biological engineering professor Vikramaditya G. Yadav, have discovered an affordable way to build a bacteria-powered, biogenic solar cell that works well in cloudy environments.In a conventional or inorganic solar cell, crystalline silicon serves as the electron generator. In a biogenic solar cell, the materie that is excited by light is biological in origin. In both types of cells, the electron generator is part o f the anode. Electrons move from the anode to cathode to produce the electric current. In the UBC solar cell, the biogenic material is the pigment lycopene, which is best known for giving tomatoes their red color.Listen to ASME TechCast Episode 2 to hear how engineers close the communication gap with non-engineers.The team was struck by this idea when they were developing bacterial mini-factories to produce large quantities of lycopene for use in nutraceuticals. After genetically engineering bacteria to produce large quantities of lycopene, they noticed that when the lycopene was stored in transparent glass bottles, the pigment steadily degraded over time. Some research by the students revealed that the lycopene molecule is highly excitable by light and degrades immediately upon exposure to light.One of his students then asked, Really? Lycopene degrades that easily upon exposure to light? What would happen if we put it in a solar cell?Thats the question that got us interested in dev eloping dye-sensitized solar cells, Yadav says.A diagram of the anode of a solar cell, comprised of biogenic material made of lycopene-producing bacteria (the orange orbs) and coated with titania nanoparticles. Image Vikramaditya YadavHow It WorksWhen light falls on lycopene, it degrades and releases electrons. Yadav and his team wondered if the rate of degradation was enough to generate a usable current.Their first step consisted of the genetic modification of a strain of E. coli bacteria to produce large amounts ofphotosensitive lycopene. The E. coli commonly used in the biotechnology industry is quite different from the strains that typically cause diseases, and are incapable of competing with natural, unmodified strains. Therefore, any fears of accidental release of potentially disease-causing bacteria are misplaced, Yadav says.The bacteria was then coated with TiO2nanoparticles via a tryptophan mediated supramolecular interface and applied to a glass surface, creating a semicon ductor. The titanium coating makes the bacteria highly conductive and allows the electrons to move more easily from the anode to the cathode.The semiconductor was then deployed as an anode in an I/I3-based dyesensitized solar cell. When exposed to light, the bacteria released photons that moved via the titanium to the cathode, creating a current density of 0.686 milliamps per square centimeteran improvement on the 0.362 achieved by other biogenic prototypes.In fact, we recorded the highest current density for any biogenic solar cell, Yadav says.A close look at titania-coated lycopene-producing bacteria. leistungspunkt Vikramaditya Yadav/UBCFuture PossibilitiesYadavs solar cell is a successful proof-of-concept for the fabrication of genetically customizable biogenic materials for photovoltaic applications, according to the teams recent paper. Because the bacteria-powered cell works well under low light conditions, it may be an ideal choice as a light source in the future for mining, deep-sea exploration, and other low-light environments.A major drawback to this technology is that the bacteria eventually dies and the solar cell needs to be replaced. Yadav hopes to discover a cell design that does not kill the bacteria. If we can do this, we can achieve dye production over an extended time period, which will stretch the usable life of these cells, he says.As a first-generation device, the prototype needs significant improvements and optimization before it can reach the levels of silicon solar cells that can deliver about 25 times the current density of the bacterial-based solar cell.Yadavs team is already working on improving the current solar cell, including alternative chemistries for covering the bacteria and boosting the bacterias electrical potential. He also expects sizable gains in efficiency through the use of more sophisticated fabrication techniques such as ordered deposition of the biogenic material, use of platinum as the counter electrode, better mat ching of electrolytes, and use of more light-sensitive dyes.Although it is a bioengineering project thus far, Yadav believes mechanical engineers have a significant role to play in the steps that come immediately after ourshow best to assemble the complete solar cell to ensure higher current densities and greater durability, as well as reducing the cost of storing the electrical energy so produced.More than anything, Yadav says the project taught him the value of cross-collaboration across multiple scientific fields, including biochemical engineering, material science, and electrochemistry.This would not have been possible if we didnt have people from different disciplines talking to one another and asking basic questions, he says.fruchtmark Crawford is an independent technology writer.Read More Raspberry Pis Eben Upton on Design and Innovation A Prosthetic ArmBangs the Drums Smart BandageDoes It All For Further Discussion In fact, we recorded the highest current density for any bio genic solar cell.Prof. Vikramaditya G. Yadav, University of British Columbia

Four career lessons to be learned from disco era

Four career lessons to be learned from disco eraFour career lessons to be learned from disco eraWhy, yes I did actually pull together some real-life career lessons from disco the age of platform shoes on men and white polyester suits with lapels so wide you could park a car on them.In no particular orderFollow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreDress the partOne of the most iconic scenes to come out of the classic disco movie Saturday Night Fever welches Tony Manero (played by John Travolta) dressing for a big night out dancing and romancing.Inspired by both Bruce Lee and a poster of Farrah Fawcett, Tony slips into his best slinky Qiana shirt and some extra snug Millennial pink pants, all the while admiring his own fine form and boogying along to Night Fever by The Bee Gees. While the scene was played for maximum excess - if not chuckles - the underlying message is a good one.Before Ma nero could become king of the disco dance floor, he had to get into the right mindset, and a big part of that involved his clothes.Disco era takeaway If your clothes dont speak volumes about your position, youre probably dressing wrong. While you might not need a full makeover, its a good idea to regularly reassess what you wear and what it says about you. (Here are some tips on some new pieces to pick up for spring).Take some downtimeIf youve never heard the term disco nap before, todays your lucky day.It seems that once upon a time, serious disco dancers would head home after work and nap for a few hours, so theyd be fresh and ready to hustle the night away. If you find that you become exhausted at the same time every day, consider taking a break during the day for a quick refresher.This will work especially well if you have a work auffhrung that will drag on into the evening hours like a mixer or cocktail party.Disco era takeaway According to the National Sleep Foundation website Naps can restore alertness, enhance performance, and reduce mistakes and accidents. A study at NASA on sleepy military pilots and astronauts found that a 40-minute nap improved performance by 34% and alertness 100%.And dont worry that sleeping during the day will ruin your nighttime sleep since the site also advises that a short nap is usually recommended (20-30 minutes) for short-term alertness. This type of nap provides significant benefit for improved alertness and performance without leaving you feeling groggy or interfering with nighttime sleep.If you cant actually zone out at the office, consider heading to one of the back rooms and listening to a meditation app before a big meeting or using a meditation device like the Muse headband its easy to keep in your desk and can add some downtime to even the busiest day.Find your crewLest you think that disco dancing is all fun and games and buttons open to the navel, some of it included a serious level of coordination. In the age of The Hustle, people lined up to dance together in a very specific formation.Sure, everyone followed the same steps and made the same hand gestures (clap, clap), but some people added their own special touches as well (hip bump, anyone?).Disco era takeaway Unless youre absolutely sure that youre the top guy or gal in your field, consider having a group of people you can trust and work well with. leid backup dancers, but those who youre proud to walk - and shimmy - with as well.Face your vulnerabilitySure, a majority of the most popular disco anthems were about classic themes like love and lust and ruling the Boogie Wonderland, but the ones that lasted beyond the days of disco had something extra as well. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor started off by revealing the abject fear of being alone after a failed relationship.The song then built to a crescendo of pure independence and a proud sense of moving on. Both Dont Leave Me This Way by Thelma Houston and Shame by Evelyn Champagne Ki ng were ostensibly about highlighting negative aspects of a relationship.One seemed to be about a partner leaving while another seemed to be about feelings about shame, but in true disco fashion, they were really about something else entirely highlighting the desirability of the singers to a funky disco beat.Disco era takeawayIf you ever have to prostrate yourself publicly because youve messed up in the workplace, be sure to follow up with an anthem to the wonders of you.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Epistolary Novel Definition in Creative Writing

Epistolary Novel Definition in Creative WritingEpistolary Novel Definition in Creative WritingDefinition Strictly speaking, an epistolary novel is a novel whose story is told through a series of letters. Bents Readers Encyclopedia explains that the fasson was first popularized by the 18th century novels Pamela and Clarissa Harlowe by Samuel Richardson. Some definitions of the form stretch to include diary entries and other documents. In a novel otherwise told in third person, letters allow the reader to hear the characters voices more intimately. They also give an impression of immediacy and authenticity. Unlike works of the 18th century, contemporary novels rarely rely solely on letters to tell a story. Examples Although A.S. Byatts Possession is not an entirely epistolary novel, much of the story is told through letters.