3D Printing Solar Panels, Solar Trees, and More
3D printing is an incredible technology that has evolved significantly over the last several years. These days there are 3D printing projects involved in a variety of creative initiatives. We've now got the option to print things like body parts, tools, braces, planters, sundials, shelves, buckles, various tech gadgets, chip-clips and other household items, various foods, and a lot more.
You can find 3D printers on the market today that range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. And likewise, there are compact individual home-sized units, as well as much larger commercial sized printers that can print things like houses and cars.
It's estimated that the 3D printing market will grow roughly 14.37 percent every yearfrom now until 2020.
This technology is drastically transforming the manufacturing process in many ways and it has helped to drastically lower costs, boost convenience, and improve efficiency. 3D printers can print things cheaper and do the job faster in many circumstances. And it's anticipated that within the next several years, that this technology is going to become much more affordable and accessible to more people.
One new area that this technology has made its way to now is in printing solar panels.
The team that worked on this project has allegedly been striving toward completion for at least 15 years.
The 3D printer that they worked with used water based electronic ink that contains semiconductor materials. The printer then uses that ink to layer solar panels' components onto thin/transparent sheets. It's also alleged that these 3D printed solar panels are more sensitive to dim light and that therefore, this might enable them to deliver more power for a longer period of time during the day.
The researchers have said that with only 10 commercial sized 3D printers that are capable of this, they'd be able to produce the panels needed to light 1,000 homes. They eventually hope that they will be able to use this technology in some way to directly 'paint' the panels right onto the wall or roof of a surface area.
Aside from the project at Newcastle, others have also revealed that researchers have been able to produce solar power receivers that are estimated to be 20x more efficient than previous.
Not only that, but 3D printers have also been used to create solar energy trees that are 'energy harvesting trees' comprised of 3D printed leaves that are made with flexible & organic solar cells (see above). The solar industry is just one more area that could benefit tremendously from this technology.
Pics:
Pixabay
Pixabay
via 3ders.org/articles/20150218-3d-printed-solar-energy-harvesting-tree-can-charge-smartphones.html
Sources:
https://all3dp.com/1/useful-cool-things-3d-print-ideas-3d-printer-projects-stuff/
https://www.manufacturing.net/blog/2016/01/disruptive-evolution-3d-printing
https://www.newcastle.edu.au/newsroom/featured-news/the-clever-electronic-inks-rewriting-our-energy-future
http://www.3ders.org/articles/20171101-sandia-national-lab-team-3d-prints-20-percent-more-efficient-solar-power-receivers.html
https://www.theguardian.com/powershop-powering-better-future/video/2016/nov/30/3d-printed-solar-energy-trees
Related Posts:
3D Printing Technology: Making It Faster and Cheaper
https://steemit.com/technology/@doitvoluntarily/3d-printing-technology-making-it-faster-and-cheaper
The Creative Potential Of 3D Printing
https://steemit.com/health/@doitvoluntarily/the-creative-potential-of-3d-printing
3D Printing An Object Using Just Your Mind
https://steemkr.com/technology/@doitvoluntarily/3d-printing-an-object-using-just-your-mind
Great find.....this is where I like to see technology advancing!
Imagine everything in future using solar...tha twould be convenient . Cause we do not need to walk into a cafe just for charging our phone.
But if we must start protect the nature now.
Nice post , upvoted.
Good gawd, I can't even load the ink cartridge in my 1990's printer. This is so far beyond me. Space age stuff. Then again, I'm easily impressed.
This is all so amazing its unbelievable
Hey. @doitvoluntarily you post is amazing really great post thank for sharing.
Wow ! 3 D printed solar panels , who would have ever thought this possible ! Haha ! This will make it so much more affordable for the normal person to install and maintain , its something im considering when I build my little house , even though we have the power shack now built , we could still put stuff on solar energy like the washer / dryer etc. That will cut the cost of power in half ! Great post once again @doitvoluntarily ! Im on my way to make my mid week update post for the #popcontest ! 👍💕✌👌
That is very good post and i like to see technology.
Thanks for sharing
3D printers are amazing , I own one and they create the best things ever . I made so many keychains floor plans and much more . Who knew years ago that technology would be this way
As soon as one technology is introduced as the new kid on the block, the old one is now obsolete. i often wonder if this is about advancing technology to help folks or a way to shine the new marketing item to make new money where they could not otherwise by marketing the old product. Either way is was a good read and great news!
Solar to the moooon buddy.
Have a good middle of the week my man. I am just not around as much and people are giving me grief, here and there, it is tiresome for me now, the lack of balance of some people here.