Nanoantenna Sheets Harvest Energy (broadcast Friday, August 22nd, 2008)

An array of loop nanoantennas, imprinted on plastic and imaged with a scanning electron microscope. The deposited wire is roughly 200 nanometers thick. Source: Idaho National Laboratory

Traditional solar cells are able to capture only a small fraction of the energy that fall upon them. In this segment, we'll talk with the developers of flexible sheets of 'nanoantennas' that could aid in getting energy from solar energy or from other heat sources. Repeating arrays of tiny gold foil loops coated on plastic sheets could harvest up to 80 percent of the infrared light that fall upon them, according to scientists involved with the project. The researchers say the material has the potential to cost just pennies a yard -- though a key part of the technology, a method for storing or transmitting the generated electricity, remains to be developed. We'll find out more. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.