Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By solidsmack (Reporter)
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Magna-Frying Glass: Using Plastic Fresnel Lenses to Concentrate Sunlight

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


If you are a fan of Do-It-Yourself projects and homegrown pyrotechnics on your patio, then there is a chance that you have heard of a tinkerer named Grant Thompson. This is a clever guy who has made a name for himself by building a host of fun (and mostly dangerous) devices from easily-sourced materials and household ingredients. The self-proclaimed “King of Random” has over eight-hundred thousand subscribers on ” target=”_blank”>YouTube and has undoubtedly inspired many minds with his captivating how-to instructional shorts. But, there is one video of Thompson’s in particular that might imply a level of real-world potential that goes far beyond the musings and novelties found in most life hacking videos. In “Burning Stuff with 2000˚F Solar Power”, Thompson demonstrates that the awesome power of the sun can be harnessed cheaply and on-the-fly using the lens component from the screen of a rear-projection television set, and the results are shocking.

If you are familiar with the high-end televisions of yesteryear—then you probably remember rear-projection technology, which was the driving force behind the big, heavy, floor-standing clunkers that used to be the top-dogs in the AV world. Rear-projection televisions used a large transparent plastic lens the size of the screen itself to focus the image onto the front panel—a process completed entirely inside of the gargantuan units. In many of the televisions that employed this technology, the optic of choice was the Fresnel lens—the revolutionary 18th-Century innovation that once turned lanterns and lighthouses into sensible tools. The sheer size of a salvaged rear-projection television lens, combined with the Fresnel architecture, happens to make it ideal for gathering sunlight and concentrating it into a focused beam—like a magnifying glass on steroids. In both Thompson’s video and a in a similar short by Dan Rojas, which Thompson credits, you can see the incredible amount of energy transfer that these relatively simple sheets of plastic are capable of facilitating. In a refined version of the simple models that these two guys had built respectively, Rojas managed to add solar-tracking capability to his design and ultimately reached a max temperature of 3800˚F.

Now of course, one could argue that a solar panel the same size as a large rectangular lens would collect just as much sunlight, but it would simply be dispersed throughout the surface of the panel, rather than focused to a point. This is true, and in terms of collecting sunlight from a maximum number of angles throughout the day, a flat panel that does not need adjustment seems to make more sense than a lens which needs to be constantly re-angled. However, the cost of high-quality photovoltaic (power-generating) solar cell components is very high, and consequently, building large solar panels is expensive. Thompson and Rojas have proven that even an imperfect molded-plastic plastic lens is extremely effective at focusing light, and that notion begs the question: Can we use big lenses to run small-scale power-generating apparatuses that are cheaper to manufacture than large photovoltaic solar panels? If the answer is yes, then it is possible that the solution might not even involve solar panels at all…maybe these lenses could be used to generate steam power, or to operate Peltier plates. It is certainly some food for thought, and it will be interesting to see how the future of lenses affects the solar industry in the coming years, as solar-tracking options become more abundant and affordable.

(Images via King of Random/YouTube)


Source: http://solidsmack.com/fabrication/magna-frying-glass-using-plastic-fresnel-lenses-to-concentrate-sunlight/


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.