Scinotions

Your daily dose of Science and Tech

Day: September 3, 2013

Breakthrough in photovoltaic technology: 3D graphene

Dye-sensitized solar cells are the best type of solar cells invented so far, but they have a unfavorable aspect: the price. Although they are very thin, pliable, not difficult to make and they have a great conversion rate (8%), they are made from platinum, one of the most expensive elements on Earth. The new inexpensive material that was discovered at Michigan Technological University may replace the platinum used to create these dye-sensitized...

A small memory device implanted under human skin

In few years, people will be able to carry under their skin small electronic devices that will allow them to be identified, to share personal information or to shop without a credit card. Artist Anthony Antonellis wanted to test this technology and he has implanted a small NFC / RFID chip in his hand with the purpose of distributing artwork. The chip is the size of a grain of sand and contains digital data that can be accessed wirelessly using a...