What if many of our energy problems could be solved with a coat of paint? Researchers at Notre Dame may have found a way to at least help the energy problems the earth is currently facing.
The researchers at the University of Notre Dame come up with a way to turn paint into the next solar cell. Using "semiconducting nanoparticles", or really tiny wires, particles that can get energy from the sun, and a paint-like substance they have created a relatively inexpensive spreadable solar panel.
They've only been able to get up to 1% efficiency (Compared to the 10% to 15% efficiency a normal solar cell has), but that's still good for something that's inexpensive and convenient. Even at 1% it would help the energy crisis on earth right now, and the researchers say they may be able to increase its efficiency.
There seems to be no word on how these nanoparticles may impact the environment, but most likely it wouldn't do any more harm than normal paint.
If this project were to get government backing, there may be a bright (yellow) future ahead as far as energy conservation goes. If all houses and other buildings around the globe started to use this kind of paint, who knows how much energy could be saved!
You can find the original article on the University of Notre Dame's website here: http://newsinfo.nd.edu/news/28047-notre-dame-researchers-develop-paint-on-solar-cells/
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