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Creating Power From Wasted Heat
Roland Piquepaille writes "Today, about 90 percent of the world's electricity is created through an indirect and inefficient conversion of heat. It is estimated that two thirds of the heat used by thermoelectric converters are wasted and released. But now, researchers from the University of California at Berkeley have found a new way to convert this wasted heat into electricity by trapping organic molecules between metal nanoparticles. So far, this method of creating electricity creation is in its very early stage, but if it can scale up to mass production it may lead to a new and inexpensive source of energy."
How is this "a new source of power" ? it's just improving efficiency by reducing loss.
LED light bulbs are overrated. Compact florescent bulbs are much more efficient, but they aren't a sexy as LED's. Here's some ways to conserve, but no one will do this:
1. No more incandescent bulbs.
2. Live 10 minutes away from work in a condo/apartment instead of the suburbs in a giant house
3. Stop leaving your computer on all day
Actually, #2 is about the only one that really saves the most money. Smaller places cost less to heat/cool, and not driving as much saves a huge amount of energy.
But, oh environmentalists are more concerned about prohibiting housing developments or zoning that actually makes sense.