Moth eyes were last year’s big thing in solar cell biomimicry, and now it looks like a new challenger has stepped into the ring. A research team from Germany’s Karlsruher Institut für Technologie has zeroed in on the nanoscale structure of rose petals — specifically, the El Toro variety — to improve thin-film solar cell efficiency by up to 13%. If the name El Toro doesn’t ring a bell, our friends over at the UC–Davis…
Solar cell efficiency smackdown: Eye of moth vs. petal of rose
More of Today's Solutions
Chile’s maternity leave expansion led to a three-year employment boost
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In October 2011, Chile extended postnatal leave from 12 to 24 weeks for women contributing to the country’s ...
Read MoreJulie and Kariba: two elephants getting a second chance in Portugal
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Kariba has lived alone in a Belgian zoo for years. Julie has been with the Cardinali circus in ...
Read MoreHow DNA in the air could help track life on Earth
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In the lush forests of northern Belize, surrounded by hibiscus blooms, kingfishers overhead, and the busy trails of ...
Read MoreMexico bans dolphin shows in historic vote to protect marine mammals
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a landmark move for animal welfare, the Mexican Senate voted unanimously to ban dolphin and other marine ...
Read More
