Photovoltaic panels are increasingly gaining ground as a clean, renewable energy source. However, many of these systems only work under certain conditions—solar panels rely on direct sunlight, and photovoltaic plants are horizontal developments that require large areas.
The solution to these limitations may have been found by a 27-year-old Filipino student. Carvey Ehren Maigue, from Mapua University, developed a system that converts UV radiation into visible light to generate electricity. AuREUS System Technology, as it has been named, is a material that can be applied to pre-existing surfaces or structures.
Because the system uses ultraviolet rays, it generates electricity even on cloudy days. The material's particles absorb the "invisible light" of ultraviolet rays and can generate electricity up to 50% of the time. This result, achieved during the testing phase, is well above the output of conventional solar panels, which generate power only 15% to 22% of the time.
Aurora Borealis
The name AuREUS was inspired by the aurora borealis and its luminous particles that absorb ultraviolet or gamma rays, transforming them into visible light. A similar process occurs within the system, which uses specific particles from certain plants that have this same capability.
In addition to being more efficient than current options, the system developed by Carvey repurposes materials that would otherwise be discarded. To produce the solar panels, the young inventor uses food waste. Fruit and vegetable scraps are transformed into a durable, translucent, and moldable material that serves as the basis of the system.
The particles extracted from the plants are suspended in a resin that can be molded and applied to existing structures, such as windows and building facades. These particles then convert UV rays into visible light, which is subsequently converted into electricity.
International Recognition
“As a farmer, I see huge potential in the technology Carvey has developed to generate clean, renewable energy,” said James Dyson, founder and chief engineer of Dyson.
The company is behind the prestigious James Dyson Award, which annually recognizes solutions and technologies developed around the world. This year, Carvey won in the Sustainability category, selected as the best project from among 1,800 entries.
This article was written by Natasha Olsen. The translation is powered by AI.
