What's the Most Efficient Design For a Solar Collector? Shape It Like a Sunflower

It's funny that we can patent things found in nature. :) To bad the sun flower didn't file for one first. lol

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In space, no one can hear a tree fall in the forest.

Here is a good video about natural patterns:

"Nature by Numbers"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WF6V9RQFz8&feature=related

This is a great video.

Boo on the patent attempt.

Thanks,
-Tony

Nature works in harmony with the environment.

When our desires and wants push and take and oppose the harmony of life, we create our own hardship, suffering and inefficiency.

Synchronize to nature and minimize your wants and desires and life will bring abundance to you.

Walk in peace. ;)

“I copied a flower. Now I apply for a patent."
Has anyone yet filled for a patent for the
SUN
MOON
TIDES
RAIN
OCEANS
WINDS
LIFE
ROCKS
LIVING
DIEING
WALKING
RUNNING
SINGING, etc.... LOL

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SPOOKY!...... Life is

A dome dotted by computer controlled frenel lens, a huge parabollic mirror beneath, and greenhouse gas for heat retention within the dome itself, still seemed more efficient for solar thermal since it won't be as affected by the wind or temperature fluctuations caused by erratic weather patterns. Not to mention that incorporating an extra outer layer to the dome made of transparent PVC puts an additional capacity for exploiting solar energy while practically occupying the same space.

*fresnel

(where's the edit button when you need one?)

I had some Frenel and dip last night. It was delicious..
Or
That Frenel soup was so good.
Or
Looking at your xray, we notice a very interesting Frenel.
Or
Isn’t Frenel next to France?
Or
Seems not we even have faster than Neutrinos speed. We call it Frenel DRIVE!

Ok, I am done now…..lol

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Science sees no further than what it can sense.
Religion sees beyond the senses.

edit2: I also meant transparent photo-voltaic cells (PVC), not polyvinyl chloride.. haha..

Come to think of it, I wonder how effective it would be if transparent PV cells are layered on top of each other like onion skins turning them into multi-junction solar cells? hmm..

They want a patent for this?
The thing is this is the third such story I've seen right here on PopSci.
The first was that guy who designed solar charging stations in the shape of trees for efficiency and shade on the highways. (readers called it stupid)
The second was the kid who went for a hike in the forest and came up with the idea of using the pattern in the branches to build his own solar array. (readers called it brilliant)
Just check the related stories.
Now MIT wants credit for this like they thought of it first, or even were the first to figure out how to put it in practical use?
MIT should patent their proprietary system, the concept itself is already public domain and was independently reinvented many times.

@killerT: there must be some level of novelty/uniqueness to emulating plant life for solar power because most of the world is still just lining them up like usual.

Also, MIT has done the research on the specifics of the arrangement and angles of the florets AND figured out how to apply that information to something that isn't a flower. Mainly it's that second part that makes this patentable.

Can I patent an icon?

Yea, patenting some ideas are kinda stupid. Most people share their ideas freely, while others have the selfish tendency to think that everything that pops into their heads are theirs alone regardless of it's readily observable abundance in nature or the casual flow of developing trends.

Yes, I am talking about people like you Steve Jobs, er.. RIP.

this isn´t new
google: boy finds pattern solar power

Google is evil and the sheep or led blindly by this sheep herder...

.............................
Science sees no further than what it can sense.
Religion sees beyond the senses.

Biomimicry = Wheel Already Created. We don't need to recreate it!!!