Maig, a 27-year-old Filipino engineering student, invented a technology that uses crop waste as the basis for a new type of solar cell, and ultimately won the first sustainability award at the 2020 Dyson Design Awards. (Courtesy of the James Dyson Foundation)
As the renewable energy industry considers what to do with end-of-Life photovoltaic panels, a Philippine engineering student has invented a new solar cell technology based on crop waste that has won the first sustainability award at the 2020 Dyson Design Awards.
Carvey Ehren Maigue, a 27-year-old college student at Mapua University in the Philippines, developed the AuREUS (which stands for Aurora Renewable Energy and Ultraviolet Isolation) system technology by transforming fruit and vegetable crop waste into a light-emitting material that converts ultraviolet light. This material can be attached to the surface of existing structures or objects, absorbing UV light and converting it into visible light to generate electricity.
Maig, a 27-year-old college student at Mapua University in the Philippines, developed the AuREUS system technology by transforming fruit and vegetable crop waste into a luminescent material that converts ultraviolet light. (Courtesy of the James Dyson Foundation)
This type of energy production is not possible with traditional solar panels. Whether it’s sunny or cloudy, AuREUS generates electricity because the particles in the material absorb ultraviolet light, causing them to glow. When these particles are “at rest,” they allow excess energy to be “released” from the material in the form of visible light, which can then be converted into electricity.
Compared to solar panels, AuREUS is expected to convert more solar energy into renewable energy, even in the absence of direct sunlight. Tests have now shown that it has a photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 48 percent, compared to 10-25 percent for conventional photovoltaics.
We have upgraded crops that have been hit by natural disasters such as typhoons,” says Maege. By doing this, we can be both forward-looking and solve the problems we are currently experiencing.”
Meagher invented a technology that uses crop waste as the basis for a new type of solar cell. (Courtesy of the James Dyson Foundation)
After testing nearly 80 different types of local crops, Meagher found that nine of them could be used as long-term alternatives. When the substrate is applied to the material, it is durable, translucent, and can be molded into different shapes.
Maegor is already working on materials that can be used in places other than windows and walls, such as fabrics, and intends to apply them to cars, boats and airplanes.
James Dyson, founder and chief engineer of Dyson, said, “I am amazed by the way AuREUS is using waste crops sustainably, but I am even more touched by Maig’s determination and commitment. after failing to make the international jury in 2018, he has persisted and extended his ideas further, which will be a very important character trait for him on the long road to commercialization.
I wish him all the best and I personally care about agriculture and have been concerned about the problem of PV cells covering a lot of fertile and productive agricultural land. Maig’s invention presents a compelling way to create clean energy even on existing structures such as windows within cities.”
Maig, a 27-year-old college student majoring in engineering in the Philippines. (Courtesy of the James Dyson Foundation)
Myger, whose invention ultimately won the first sustainability award at the Dyson Design Awards, said, “Winning the Dyson Design Award is both the beginning and the end for me. It marks the end of years of questioning whether AuREUS is globally relevant, and the beginning of the AuREUS system technology coming into the world’s view. I want to use natural resources to create a better, renewable energy source that is close to people’s lives and to achieve a sustainable, renewable future.”
2020 marks a record-breaking year for The James Dyson Award, part of Sir James Dyson’s vision to demonstrate the power of engineers to change the world. Since the event was first held in 2005, James Dyson has donated more than £100 million to innovative ideas in Education and other charitable areas, supporting 250 inventions by young engineers and scientists from around the world.
Recent Comments