2010: Self-Powered Wireless Solar Tiles for a Renewable Energy Future
This project will focus on wireless solar tiles—recently invented at Cornell—that can be set by computer or iPhone to perform different functions, including harvesting solar energy or wind, redirecting light for natural lighting, sensing temperature to regulate home energy use, and even listening to radio frequencies in outer space. A research group will build a prototype system and host a workshop in the fall of 2010 to promote the tiles and report on research challenges. Despite the new tiles’ advanced capacities, initial prototyping suggests that the cost may be lower than covering rooftops with passive solar cells—bringing personalized, sustainable energy within the reach of individual homeowners.
Investigators: Amit Lal, Anil Netravali, Hod Lipson