Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Energy Curtain Captures Energy From Sunlight
The Energy Curtain is a window shade that is specially woven from a unique blend - a blend of textiles, solar collection and light emitting materials. It is the product of a research project funded by the Swedish Energy Agency. It was demonstrated at the Wired NextFest 2006 festival of technology at the Javits Center in NYC about a month ago.
(Energy Curtain at NextFest 2006)
During the day, the shade is drawn, lessening the sun's impact inside a dwelling. At night, the energy recovered by the curtain is displayed as a glowing pattern on the inside surface of the shade.
(Energy Curtain detail at NextFest 2006)
The Energy Curtain fabric consists of two layers. The inner layer is woven with optical fibers and the outer layer integrates solar cells. Polyester filament yarns in the middle and on the sides are drawn through the curtain and connected to a bar across the top and bottom.
The Energy Curtain shows how power can be made integral to the function and aesthetic expression of an otherwise ordinary artifact. The residents are actually faced with a choice about energy: they can pull the curtain aside to enjoy the sun's illumination and heat during the day, or they can pull the curtain closed, and make use of the energy gained that evening.
In this way, the object acts to stimulate reflection on the trade-offs with regards to a local, sustainable system and a basis for exploring how people might evolve a relationship with such a self-sustaining object and their own energy behaviors over time.
(Energy Curtain returns light at night)
See also the disappearing pattern bathroom shower tiles that demonstrate hot water energy use (another STATIC! project).
Thanks again to the organizers of NextFest (see more NextFest 2006 Devices, Stories and Pictures). Read more about the Energy Curtain in this Energy Curtain pdf.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 11/2/2006)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 0 )
Related News Stories - (" Engineering ")
Can 'Tactical Umbrellas' Shield One From Drones
'... another corner of his mind began to think about the shields.' - Frank Herbert, 1958.
Chinese Aircar Light And Airy, Not For Blade Runners
Daytime version.
The Morphing Wheel And The Smartwheel
'If you surf over a bump, the spokes contract to roll over it.' Neal Stephenson, 1992.
Transporting Antimatter
'...drawing plans for the magnetic tongs and bed plates and relays.'
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Moscow Attacked By Hundreds Of Drones
'It hurtled on down with inconceivable speed until it was visible as thousands of tiny robot planes...'
Nifty Folding Electric Bicycles!
'Separate paths were provided for them...'
FTC: Says Ring Employees Illegally Surveilled Customers
'Then she looked up with a smile and moved closer to the camera.'
Switzerland May Cap Population At Ten Million
'The population of Castle Hagedorn was fixed...'
Project Silica Offers 'Long-Term' Digital Storage
'... folios and tapes and playable discs of platinum alloy.'
Can 'Tactical Umbrellas' Shield One From Drones
'... another corner of his mind began to think about the shields.'
Crystalline Structures In Space, You Say?
A massive space borne lifeform from ST:TNG.
Garçon! A Menu For Artemis II, S'il Vous Plaît
'Michel Ardan, as a Frenchman, was declared chief cook, an important function, which raised no rival.'
Amazing Photonic Crystal Light Sail
'That sail will be twenty thousand miles at the wide part.'
Blue Collar AI Goes To Work To Mine Its Own Crypto
Blue collar bot.
Rogue AI Replicated Itself
'Sapiro’s computer just kept dialing at random, hanging up on humans, until it got a fellow computer of the same type as itself.'
HandelBot Helps Two-Handed Robots Learn Piano
'I request that you feed the correlation between those dots and the levers of the panel into my memory banks.'
Woven Fiber Electronic Skin For Robots
'... all the feel and appearance of human flesh and epidermis.'
When AI Takes Its First Breath
Any suggestions?
Chinese Aircar Light And Airy, Not For Blade Runners
Daytime version.
The Morphing Wheel And The Smartwheel
'If you surf over a bump, the spokes contract to roll over it.'
