Advanced Topics on Condensed Matter Physics
Department of Physics, NCU
Floating Solar Rotors — there is something new under the sun
Speaker
Prof. Cheng-Hsun Nien
Department of Physics,NCU
Date 2016/12/29 (Thur)
Time 14:00-16:00
Place S4-625
In one of our efforts to popularize the use of green energy by searching for alternative ways, we have come up with a unique design of floating plates on water which start rotating upon exposure to sunlight of sufficient intensity. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time for the sunlight without focusing to drive the motion of floating objects up to 10 cm in diameter with remarkably simple structures and low-cost materials. Based on the surface tension of water (or the capillary force between water and the plates in a more precise notion), these rotors may seem to have no competitive energy efficiency. However, our theoretical analysis indicates promising room for improvement, along with some intriguing fundamental questions inspired by this attempt. In addition to apparent applications in landscape architecture of various scales, I will also illustrate some prospective examples of using this design as a supplementary platform to the promotion of solar cells for creative minds.