Industrial Evolution to happen on the International Space Station

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Scientists are planning to use the space station to grow a new kind of crystal for use in solar cells by 2013. They say the vacuum conditions in space improve the quality of thin film crystals, giving them properties that are unachievable on Earth.

The technique, called Molecular Beam Epitaxy, could improve electronics, in particular raising the efficiency of solar cells as much as 60%. Scientists behind the proposed move call it “an industrial evolution”

“The unique vacuum environment of space allows us to move forward in terms of computers, solar cells, high speed transistors, high power transistors, energy – all these areas would benefit from advancing materials in space,” Professor Alex Ignatiev from the University of Houston in Texas told BBC News.

The scientist explained that the space-grown extremely pure artificial crystals, known as ultra-thin semiconductor films, would be produced in a space vacuum lab, spinning above Earth.

The lab will either be attached to the International Space Station (ISS) or carried by a small unmanned spacecraft that will periodically dock to the ISS.

The semiconductor films would consist of atomic layers formed from different elements, placed on top of one another. Every layer would be a different element, to ultimately form a very thin film of an extremely complex composition.

If the project is a success, the scientists say their long-term goal is to fabricate solar cells on the Moon by means of power plants set up directly on the lunar surface that would generate electricity from solar energy

The new project is mainly funded by the Russian federal space agency Roscosmos, with both Russian and US scientists involved. Read the rest of the story from the BBC.

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Holte Ender

Holte Ender will always try to see your point of view, but sometimes it is hard to stick his head that far up his @$$.
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13 years ago

er…Krell?…I know a good shrink…failed abysmally with me mind but that’s hardly a condemnation eh?…;-)

Space…the final frontier…er…apart from customs of course…

I admit to fascination here along with slight depression as, at my age, I doubt I’ll live to see any fruition of space exploration. Still. Tally Ho!…On we go!

Reply to  fourdinners
13 years ago

Actually, I think this therapy I am going to start tonight is going to work miracles. It’s called the “Ribeye and Rolling Rock” remediation.

Must be applied while sitting in a almost horizontal position, preferably outdoors, with visual input of watching a 5 year chase rabbits and being chased by chickens.

Some side effect may be….drowsiness, stupor, inability or desire to concentrate.

13 years ago

This will give Krell a woody.

Reply to  The Lawyer
13 years ago

Finally the investment in space seems to be producing something other than pretty pictures of the cosmos.

BTW putting a quarter in the coin slot of a pop machine gives Krell a woody. His reaction to this would be more along the lines of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4

I don’t even want to speculate about what would happen should the UPS guy bring a shipment of klipsch horns.

Reply to  Mother Hen
13 years ago

LOL! Brilliant video.

Reply to  Mother Hen
13 years ago

Ssssshhh! That thing that dare not be mentioned is part of the overall Jess Crush dynamic.

I am trying to use psychology and carrot/stick methods to make the thing not to be mentioned be sent by UPS. It unfortunately is not happening but I think I know why…

It’s either that she is too bright for my engineer mind games or she is immune and callous to the tender …fragile …easily crushed…feelings of a pitiful engineer who just wants to hear once, just once, the magic of the sound of something that cannot be mentioned, before he sinks into the deep, dark, well of silence. Is that too much to ask? (weeping as he types….)

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