In a breakthrough from Stanford, California, engineers have created solar panels that generate electricity even in the dead of night.
Here's the trick: on clear nights, these panels emit invisible infrared light into space.
The engineers added a special device to regular solar panels called a thermoelectric generator, which captures energy from the temperature difference between the panel's surface and the surrounding air when pointed at the cold night sky.
Think of it as a nighttime energy sponge. It soaks up the infrared light and converts it into electricity, providing power when the Sun is fast asleep.
This discovery holds incredible potential, imagine streetlights powered by nighttime sunshine or homes running on solar energy around the clock.
It's not just about saving money; it's about saving our planet.
So, the next time you gaze at the night sky, remember that while you're admiring the stars, brilliant minds are harnessing the power of the dark for a brighter future.
Science continues to unveil fascinating nighttime wonders, and who knows what they'll discover next!
