🔋 ‘New technology to extend the life of old solar panels’: This technology may be the jolt that PVs have needed for decades

Plus: techniques for spotting AI-generated images, 9 novel uses for fungi                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 December 25, 2023 | [Read Online]( Since the very first ever photovoltaic panel back in 1883, and all the way to their relatively recent resurgence, the Achilles' heel of PV panels has been their short lifespan. Over the years, technologists the world over have tried to overcome this challenge for PV applications, ranging from heavy industrial all the way to household and commercial applications, with varying degrees of success -- from abject failure, to the relatively unimpressive. At least until now. Last week, a startup from Singapore called EtaVolt has stepped up to the challenge and seems to have delivered. With their technology having full compatibility with nearly 90% of all existing PV panels today, our [Must Read]( today covers how, and why this technology may be the jolt that PVs have needed for decades. The excitement around AI has soared since ChatGPT’s launch, but it is just one facet of a much more fundamental change. In [this issue of Perspectives](, Thought works domain specialists explain how to shape strategies for a new age of AI and extend a business’s capacity to grow, innovate and excel On Saturday we asked how many of you have subscribed to some of our specialized newsletters, and were SHOCKED to learn that many of you didn't know how and where to see them. To see a list of all of Interesting Engineering's newsletters, check out this page form [here]( where you can subscribe to any existing (and upcoming) newsletters with a single click. Happy Holidays, I'm Ata, and I'm stepping in this week while Tim is enjoying some much needed time off! This is Blueprint. Let’s get into it! Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe ✉](  VIDEO OF THE DAY Why FedEx planes had anti-missile defense? FedEx's 2007 air defense upgrade: lasers protecting the skies! IE+ SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING Invest In Science And Engineering Insider access to exclusive content, featuring riveting stories that take you right to the heart of the action. Engage with our thriving online community, dive into captivating science discoveries, and stay informed with our enlightening weekly premium newsletters. With IE+, quality reporting is more than just news - and it is Ad-Free. [Subscribe]( HOT TOPICS - 🌌 [Top images photographed by NASA’s five rovers on Mars]( Explore captivating images captured by NASA's Mars rovers, revealing the Red Planet's mysteries through stunning visuals and scientific discoveries. - 🤖 [10 techniques for spotting AI-generated images]( As AI becomes more advanced, it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction online. However, there are methods that can help identify AI-generated images. - 🍄 [9 novel uses for fungi]( From cancer treatments to fire-resistant cladding, discover nine of the most interesting uses of fungi. MUST READ 🔋[New technology can rejuvenate and extend the life of old solar panels]( A spin-off from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) called EtaVolt has developed a nifty device that can rejuvenate and extend the life of old (and new) photovoltaic (PV) panels. The technology has been extensively field-tested and can be used on around 90% of all existing PV panels available worldwide. The technology has been successfully commercialized and is ready to scale up for widespread market exposure. “We have known for a long time that while harvesting sunlight gives us an almost inexhaustible source of energy, producing solar panels requires a lot of energy and generates a high carbon footprint. While this carbon emission can be offset by the theoretical long service life of the solar panels, estimated at 25 years, the reality is that solar panels in tropical countries face harsher conditions and there has been no real solution to restore and recycle the silicon cells – the core technology of solar panels,” says Prof Madhavi, who is also the Executive Director of NTU’s Sustainability Office. [Read more >]( ENERGY ⚡[Tesla to open up an energy-storage battery factory in China]( Elon Musk’s Tesla will open a new factory in China to produce energy-storing batteries. However, it’s not for Tesla vehicles but for other electric utilities and entities to store power, reported the Associated Press. [Read more >]( TRANSPORTATION 🏎️ [BMW and Tyde to introduce the world's largest electric foiling yacht]( BMW has joined hands with Tyde to design the "largest foiling motor yacht on Earth." Termed The Open, it promises to blend sustainable mobility with a progressive understanding of luxury.The electric vessel will see both firms partnering after the success of The Icon, the first battery-powered maritime vehicle. As with the Icon, the collaboration will see accumulated years of expertise from the BMW i brand in the field of electric mobility merge seamlessly with the proficiency of TYDE, a renowned boat manufacturer. [Read more >]( 🎙️PODCAST [🆕 New podcast Engineering sustainability: Navigating green tech with a global manufacturing network]( Question of the Day Did you know the first PV panels were invented back in 1883? [Of course, that's common knowledge]( [Just learned this in the Blueprint today]( [That's hard to believe]( [1880-what??! How???]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS We asked “Have you signed up for any of our specialist weekly newsletters?“ 🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️Yes, all of them (13%) 🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️Only one so far (22%) 🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ How do I do that? 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