Solar Powered Beer Cooling

Doesn't make that much sense, but according to the researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, this is a possibility. The researchers are creating a thin-film solar power technology that can stick to all kinds of surfaces, including beer bottles. This technology will be capable of shrinking solar panels to micrometer-thin tiles that could potentially replace climate-control systems, or in the most practical case: keep beer colder, longer.

The material being developed by researchers at the US Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute sticks solar cells and heat pumps onto surfaces, and could ultimately turn walls, windows and even beer bottles into climate control systems.

Comprised of solar panels, solid-state thermoelectric heat pumps and a storage device to provide energy on rainy days, the system accomplishes the jobs of cooling and heating, yet operates silently and with no moving parts.

Source: vnunet.comAdded: 13 July 2006