 |
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 ")
Armano Remote Control Excavator
'The bulldozer moved through the... mine... ' - Niven and Pournelle, 1981.
Metalenses Now Reconfigurable With Liquid Crystal
'Hufhuf oil held in static tension...' - Frank Herbert, 1965.
NDB Nuclear Waste Battery Lasts A Lifetime
'Trillions of units of power could be compressed thus into an inch-square cube of what looked like blue-white ice.' - Edmond Hamilton, 1940.
Blaux Your Personal Commuter Cooling Unit
A cooling unit had to be strapped to every commuter's back, by law.
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.
Current News
Tesla Will Have Metal Gear Snake Autocoupler, Musk Confirms
'Its motion was so swift, complex, and perfect that at first I did not see it as a machine, in spite of its metallic glitter.'
Starlink Satellites Leading Edge On-Orbit Debris Mitigation
Propulsion-assisted orbital decay, brought to you by SpaceX.
Healight Ultraviolet Endotracheal Device Has Covid-19 Treatment Potential
'He applied the tip of the instrument to the interior of the wound...'
Parents Use AI To See One Last Message From Their Deceased Son
'...what's to keep me from showing face, Man?'
Satoshi Tomizu Creates Pocket Universes And Worldcraft Bubbles In Glass
'The Worldcraft bubble glittered, catching the light...'
Space Hero Inc. Offers Trip To ISS As Reality Show Prize
'This is Elmer Schmitz, presenting to you the finalists in our Aviation Quiz Program...'
I Love Ceiling-Mounted Robots
'Immediately an enormous apparatus fell on to her out of the ceiling...'
Armano Remote Control Excavator
'The bulldozer moved through the... mine... '
OK, NASA 3D Printer Of Food Not Yet Star Trek Food Synthesizer
Maybe not, but we're seeing definite progress.
Kelly Clarkson Show Like Black Mirror '15 Million Merits'
'These people are pieces of software called avatars.'
Salto Jumping Robot Now Sticks Landing!
'Lucky touched the leap knob and the hopper's leg retracted.'
Gyroscopic Median-Straddling Mass Transit Vehicles
'It was among these leviathans that the little gyrocar was daring to thrust its puny self...'
Bigrating Laser Beam-Riding Light Sail Is Self-Correcting
'That sail will be twenty thousand miles at the wide part.'
ISS Astronauts Test Estee Lauder 'Advanced Night Repair' Skin Serum
'Out in the New Moon, just ask for what you want...'
LG Wing Twisting Smartphone Might Be Fun
'A polycarbon screen unfurled...'
Mushroom Coffin Returns You To Nature, Naturally
'She touched the leaf. She was wanted.'
