THIN FILM SOLAR PANELS

Archive for August, 2010

The common zinnia flower may play a key role in transforming the U.S. from a country under siege from high risk fossil fuels, to a nation powered by cleaner, safer biofuels from renewable sources. Scientists working in collaboration from three national laboratories have used four different kinds of imaging systems to get a molecular-level look into the structure of individual zinnia leaf cells.  The breakthrough will speed further research into more efficient methods for breaking down the woody matter in plants, in order to unlock the sugars that can be processed into biofuels.

The collaboration involved the Lawrence Livermore and Lawrence Berkeley national laboratories along with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Combined with new federal investments in solar energy and high tech alternative fuels research, this pull-out-all-stops approach to biofuels is another indication that the Obama administration recognizes the serious threat that continued dependence on fossil fuels poses to the health and security of the U.S.

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