Fifty years ago, issues of Popular Science and Mechanix Illustrated magazines presented their readers with the current inventions and what was perceived as modern times. They also provided hints on what the future might bestow, especially in automobiles, aircraft, electronics, and machines. Indeed, many of today's advances have surpassed what those popular magazines predicted, and we are in the "Future".
However, new developments are continuing to happen in technology, and predictions for what may happen do not seem so far off as they once were. In the case of renewable energy and sustainability, what may seem as implausible and long range ideas, are appearing to be possible with small scale working models already underway. An interesting concept that would provide electricity for lighting and heating, while reducing fossil fuel consumption, is Solar Roadways. The theory is to build solar panels, capable of supporting road traffic, that would effectively collect and store energy. Brainstorming this idea has proposed many possible uses for this energy. Electric cars, illuminated road surfaces, and de-icing / snow deterrence being some of those future opportunities of this system. Recently, Solar Roadways won a prize from GE’s Ecomagination Challenge. This is a $200 Million contest to come up with ideas for how to create new power resources. With the prize money, Solar Roadways may be able to perfect their system and functionally implement it in a supermarket parking lot or a new home subdivision road system providing energy to its households. Solar Roadways have already built panels which are being tested so any additional funding will help further their vision.
Another unique idea is what’s happening in the Sahara Desert as a joint venture between Japanese and Algerian universities. Known as The Sahara Solar Breeder Project, it will start with manufacturing the desert sand into silicon for solar panels. Solar power plants will be built and the energy generated here will help build additional silicon producing plants. The power plants will generate energy as direct current. Obstacles will need to be overcome. Like any plan, some of these are apparent and others may arise as this forward thinking project progresses.
However successful these programs are, the side benefits may be in what new knowledge they yield. As they research and invent, new technological advances may be the result. Ideas that weren't part of the initial design. The NASA program is an example of offshoot technology. The computer industry since the first PC is another.
Comments
Mr. Canonico is right on. With today's current creww of young engineers and entrepreneurs anything is possible. It would be good to see the "young Turks" incorporate "glass-phalt" back into our recommended road building materials. The combination of the stated "solar panel roadways"and the "glass-phalt" road material could make a viable short term experiment.
Please keep these ideas coming, I enjoy the mental activity that they inspire!
The "Industrial Age" had a remarkable impact on the "world" in its time. Now, the "High Tech" era is upon us. We are exposed to so much information in one day, that it is mind boggling. Change is inevitable. Without a doubt, new technology is responsible for increasing the longevity of man. I shared your article with a group of us that meet weekly (disabled vets and spouses). We are all in agreement, we miss the days when Whataburger coffee was only a nickle. When newspaper carriers delivered our papers in the early morning hours, not read on the internet. When a family had one car, not a car for every member. When people walked to the store, not drove their car "around the corner". We have become a very wasteful society.
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