Green Technology

Lei Zhai, UCF associate professor, has been recognized for his research into the application of nanotechnology to the solar energy conversion process in polymer cells.  …

…   “This week he was selected for a Scialog Award, which includes a $100,000 prize to support his proposed solar energy conversion research.

Zhai is building nano-scale columns of conductive polymers to improve the efficiency of polymer solar cells.

Each Scialog proposal was subject to peer review and only those proposals seen as highly innovative and with the potential to transform the field of solar energy conversion were selected for awards.”   …

Via University of Central Florida: Nanotech Solar Power.

Scialog Awards in solar conversion.

Scialog focuses on funding early career scientists and building research teams to undertake groundbreaking studies in solar energy conversion.

UCF research samples:

Lei Zhai’s research video library.

The Nanoscience Technology Center at UCF.

References on the use of polymers for solar applications:

Photovoltaic cells based on conductive polymers (PDF).

Photoelectrochemical Solar Energy Conversion Based on Conducting Polymers (PDF).

Posted by Green Tech at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Florida Solar Energy Center at the University of Central Florida has received federal grant to train workers in weatherization techniques and expand its training to support testing and measurement.  The weatherization training will emphasize air sealing, duct repair, air return, thermal leakage, and safe combustion.  …

…   “The grant, given under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will expand FSEC’s weatherization training program, which provides inspectors, contractors and other skilled workers training courses in energy efficiency retrofitting and weatherization services, such as house air sealing and air duct diagnoses and repair.”   …

Via University of Central Florida: Green Jobs Training (Link).

Posted by Green Tech at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The Thermal Energy Storage Facility -- the only one of its kind at a Florida university -- allows UCF to chill water at night, taking advantage of Progress Energy’s off-peak energy rates, which are approximately 50 percent lower than daytime rates. " ...

Continue reading "Off peak chilling at thermal facility" »

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... "University of Central Florida as a national example of the best green initiatives happening at colleges and universities nationwide. " ...

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... Each participating school will receive a 10-kilowatt solar energy system with a battery back-up -- complete with installation. The system will provide enough power for critical energy needs such as lighting, communications and essential medical equipment." ...

Posted by Green Tech at 09:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

... "The award recognizes Block’s role in developing the first national standards for testing and certifying solar equipment, for serving as a founding father of the organization and for building UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center into the largest and most active state-supported solar energy institute in the nation. Block served as FSEC director for 25 years before departing in 2002. " ...

Continue reading "Solar Pioneer Recognized" »

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... "The grant, from New York based corporation, Prime Source Initiative, Inc., will be awarded in $1.5 million allotments per year for five years. The research will be led by Winston Schoenfeld, a professor in CREOL, College of Optics and Photonics at UCF. He will work on methods to increase the efficiency between the organic material that harvests the sun’s energy and the inorganic semiconductor nanostructures within a hybrid photovoltaic solar cell. " ...

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