Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - May/June 2015 - (Page 14)
Energy Agenda
The Power of T
An abundant supply of carbon-neutral energy. An electrocatalyst for batteries, made from eggplant.
Smart windows that change their tint in response to sunlight. Pipe dreams? Hardly. These projects are
the work of student researchers, and they're being recognized at top science competitions for their
potential to revolutionize the way we produce, store, and conserve energy. Read on to learn about this
groundbreaking research and the students who are conducting it.
BETTER, BRIGHTER, SoLAR
Solar energy use is on the rise, and that's a good thing: The sun's
energy is natural and abundant, both clean and green. But because
conventional solar cells are limited in the amount of light they can
convert to electricity, they aren't very efficient. Valerie Ding, a
high school senior from Portland, Oregon, with a lifelong interest in
math and science, wanted to improve on them.
It was in high school that Valerie learned about quantum physics-the science of things so small that laws governing matter don't
apply. While quantum materials provide a new realm of possibilities
for renewable, green energy, the concepts involved in quantum physics are notoriously difficult to grasp. In fact, Valerie realized, leading
researchers were struggling to apply them. But that meant there were
opportunities that had yet to be explored.
To learn more, she asked a professor at Portland State University if she could observe quantum computing and physics classes.
Then, while on a visit to CERN in 2012-a trip she won at the
2012 Intel ISEF for a project on LEDs-Valerie learned about
quantum dots, tiny particles of semiconductor material that, when
grouped on a solar cell, do a great job of absorbing light. No one,
however, had found a way to determine the ideal design parameters to dictate quantum dot solar cell efficiency, so their potential
remained untapped.
Working independently over three years, Valerie combined elements of computer programming, physics, materials science, and
engineering to develop an algorithm that simulates the quantum
mechanical properties of lead sulfide quantum dot solar cells. Then,
14
imagine
using her algorithm to predict the efficiency of a variety of quantum
dot solar cells, Valerie found that the lead sulfide quantum dots are
theoretically twice as efficient as the solar cells we typically see on
roofs today. Her model, which may be used to help design the next
generation of solar cells, has the potential to save years of research-
and the millions of dollars needed to fund it. For her research, Valerie
won a Fourth Award in Physics and Astronomy in the 2014 Intel Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). She was also a Google Science Fair
regional finalist, a Davidson Fellow, a Siemens Competition regional
finalist, and an Intel Science Talent Search finalist.
May/June 2015
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - May/June 2015
Big Picture
In My Own Words Daniel Kammen, Professor of Energy, UC Berkeley
A Solar-Powered Solution to the Water Crisis Using the sun to purify water
The PolluCell Generating electricity using waste and pollution
More than a Race The Solar Car Challenge
Energy Agenda The power of teen research
Energized! A crash course in fuels of the future
Grease Is Good Helping the environment and the community with biofuel
Fueled by Algae Sara Volz and the powerful potential of pond scum
The Future of Energy Five careers in green power
My Sanskrit Yaatra Connecting with my culture through language
Devoted Awareness My internship with Until There’s a Cure
Selected Opportunities and Resources
Off the Shelf Review of Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man
Word Wise
Exploring Career Options Interview with green architect Andrew Thompson
One Step Ahead Six things incoming college students should know
Planning Ahead for College Developing your passions
Students Review: University of Pennsylvania
Creative Minds Imagine
Mark Your Calendar
Knossos Games
Imagine Magazine - Johns Hopkins - May/June 2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20160506_CTY
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20160506
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20160304
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20160102
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20151112
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20150910
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20150506
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20150304
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20150102
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20141112
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20140910
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20140506
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20140304
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20140102
https://www.nxtbook.com/mercury/imagine/20131112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20130910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20130506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20130304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20130102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20121112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20120910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20120506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20120304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20120102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20111112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20110910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20110506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20110304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20110102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20101112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20100910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20100506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20100304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20100102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20091112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20090910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20090506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20090304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20090102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20081112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/imagine/20080910
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com