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Fly Eyes Used For Solar Cells

Posted by samzenpus on from the windows-to-the-power-pole dept.

disco_tracy writes "Researchers took corneas from blow flies, fixed them on a glass substrate, added a polymer to protect the shape and then coated nine-eye arrays in nickel within a vacuum chamber. The result was a master template that retained those useful nanoscale features and can be used to make solar cells."

9 of 73 comments (clear)

  1. man...peta's gonna have a heart-attack by MoFoQ · · Score: 4, Funny

    man....peta's gonna have a heart-attack....perhaps even an aneurysm too.
    On one hand, they want to support alternative energy....but for them to know that flies were harmed...

    1. Re:man...peta's gonna have a heart-attack by Lord_of_the_nerf · · Score: 3, Funny

      Somehow I don't think the slogan would be as catchy as the fur one.

      "I'd rather go without power than use solar cells made from blow fly corneas on a glass substrate.

    2. Re:man...peta's gonna have a heart-attack by Kozz · · Score: 4, Funny

      man....peta's gonna have a heart-attack....perhaps even an aneurysm too.
      On one hand, they want to support alternative energy....but for them to know that flies were harmed...

      I, for one, think we should act now so we're prepared to harness the energy of their spasms and convulsions.

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  2. That's cool and all but by Culture20 · · Score: 4, Funny

    How hard is it to remove a fly's cornea, and can the process be automated from a cloud of flies?

    1. Re:That's cool and all but by raving+griff · · Score: 4, Informative

      The process merely creates a template which is then used to create the cells. Therefore, only enough fly eyes to create the template (theoretically one) are required to build an entire line of solar cells.

  3. In need? by Delarth799 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Are they in need of more fly eyes? Perhaps my extensive collection might now be worth some money!

  4. Re:So, its the shape ... by FooAtWFU · · Score: 3, Informative

    What part of "The result was a master template" makes you think that they need a continual supply of eyes?

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  5. Re:So those nasty things might be useful? by justinlee37 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I've often wondered why we think that every creature was made by a supreme being with a specific purpose in mind.

  6. Pets == Slaves? by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 4, Funny

    But that sir is without question. Pets == Slaves.

    Now if you excuse me, I have to clean my cats litter box, buy food for it, entertain it, and sit still for about 8 hours as it sleeps on my lap unless I wish to talk in a high voice.

    FREE HUMANS! Oh shit, it heard HELP M[CARRIER LOST]

    --

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