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Solar Cells - MacGyver Style

August 22, 2008 – By Raymond T. Hightower | Comments Off

A 23-year old Australian PhD student has developed a way to make solar cells with an ink-jet printer and a pizza oven. Once commercialized, the process could provide inexpensive power to homes in developing nations.

Nicole Kuepper is an engineering PhD student in the school of photovoltaic and renewable energy at the Australia’s University of New South Wales. An article in the Sidney Morning Herald reports the discovery came about in a brainstorming session.

“I love working with passionate people who want to help address climate change and poverty by thinking and experimenting outside the square,” quotes the article.

This isn’t just about having lights to read at night. Electricity also allows people to refrigerate critical vaccines. Kuepper’s passion for “thinking outside the square” could very well save lives.