"High school "Angioy" makes a new discovery"
Italy: Photovoltaic system from grapes skin
"There are already photovoltaic systems made from blueberries but this one from grapes is cheaper," teacher Zucca explains. Biological photovoltaics made from organic materials have become famous in the last few years. "Blueberries are expensive whereas in this way you can get energy from waste so the cost is almost nothing."
This experiment was done thanks to the help of the company Chierchi in Usini (Sardinia).
This work, which puts together originality and technology, was carried out because 2012 is the year of energy, in particular renewable energy. In the last seven months the students Amir Abbas, Gavino Bassu and Davide Fadda (see the above picture) have been doing experiments to get anthocyanin, the special molecule which gives the red colour and has the photovoltaic power, from fermented peel.
Although photovoltaic panels from grape skin can’t be designed yet, this discovery has a practical use in daily life. "The power of creating solar energy from these molecules can be used to recharge mobile phones", says the teacher.
Amir Abbas, Gavino Bassu and Davide Fadda will show their discovery to a distinguished and expert panel in Milan from 14th to 16th April, as their schoolmates did last year. The event "The young people and Sciences" is arranged by Fast awarded by Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of European Commission and its task is to single out the best students who will represent Italy in the most famous international meetings of excellent students. Salvatore Milia, Ilaria Pes and Michela Sanna, who won the competition thanks to their invention of onion shampoo last year, will represent Italy at the Expo Science Belgium in Bruxelles.
Source: www.sassarinotizie.com